James Takes Care of Unbeaten Suns

LeBron James brought Cleveland back as far as he could, and then got some help. Some big help.

Cavalier center Zydrunas Ilgauskas made three long jumpers, including a tying three-point basket at the end of regulation, and Cleveland rallied for a 114-109 overtime win against visiting Phoenix on Wednesday night, the Suns’ first loss this season.

James scored a season-high 38 points -- 17 during in the fourth quarter -- for Cleveland, which trailed by 19 entering the final period before pulling off one of the most unlikely comebacks in the club’s 35-year history.

James, who added 10 rebounds, six assists and three steals, also made the pass that set up a stunning three-pointer by the 7-foot-3 Ilgauskas with 3.6 seconds to go in regulation.

“He’s made that shot so many times in practice,” James said. “Z is a good shooter. There was no hesitation in giving it to him. I don’t need to shoot every time for us to win.”

Drew Gooden had 16 points and a career-high 21 rebounds for Cleveland, which was outscored by 18 points in the third but then outscored Phoenix, 31-12, over the final 10:04 to force overtime. Shawn Marion had 22 points for Phoenix.

Toronto 104, Utah 95 -- Chris Bosh scored 20 points at Salt Lake City to help the Raptors hand the Jazz its first loss of the season.

The Raptors rallied from a six-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Raja Bell had 20 points for Utah, which fell to 4-1.

Boston 90, Portland 88 -- Paul Pierce, playing with a mouth guard after seven hours of dental surgery Monday, made a 17-foot fallaway jumper as time expired to lift the Celtics at Boston.

Boston’s Gary Payton (15 points) became the 29th player in NBA history to reach 20,000 points. It was the first home win for Coach Doc Rivers.

Pierce, injured by an elbow to the mouth Saturday against New York, was hit in the mouth again during a battle for a rebound with 34 seconds left. He finished with 20 points.

Zach Randolph led Portland with 22 points.

San Antonio 91, Golden State 71 -- Tim Duncan had 23 points and 18 rebounds to lead the Spurs at San Antonio.

Booed heavily, Derek Fisher had only two points in his first game in San Antonio since making the game-winning jumper for the Lakers with 0.4 seconds left in the pivotal Game 5 of last season’s Western Conference semifinals.

Seattle 108, Sacramento 78 -- Ray Allen scored 20 points at Seattle and the SuperSonics had no problem with the struggling Kings.

Brad Miller had 17 points for Sacramento, which got only 11 points on two-for-13 shooting from Chris Webber.

Philadelphia 108, New Jersey 100 -- Allen Iverson made the tying jumper with 7.2 seconds left in regulation and Corliss Williamson scored seven of his 15 points in overtime to lead the 76ers at Philadelphia.

Richard Jefferson scored 33 points for the Nets, who also got 16 points and nine rebounds from Alonzo Mourning in 40 minutes.

Washington 106, Orlando 96 -- Larry Hughes and Antawn Jamison had 26 points apiece for the Wizards at Washington. Grant Hill led Orlando with 24 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Milwaukee 102, Charlotte 100 -- Desmond Mason had 31 points, including three free throws in the final minute, and the Bucks rallied past the Bobcats at Milwaukee.