James Takes Cavaliers Above .500

LeBron James scored 33 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers moved over .500 for the first time in more than three years with a 99-88 victory Monday over the visiting Golden State Warriors.

The Cavaliers (4-3), who won for the fourth consecutive time, hadn’t had a winning record since Jan. 12, 2001, when they were 17-16. James added 12 rebounds, four assists and was the featured bobblehead for 20,562 fans. Jason Richardson had 27 points for Golden State.

Houston 80, New Jersey 69 -- Maurice Taylor, playing despite picking up three fouls 3:34 into the first quarter, made three straight shots to snap the Rockets out of an early funk in a victory at East Rutherford, N.J.

The Rockets missed their first eight shots and fell behind, 11-0, before Taylor scored Houston’s first six points. Jim Jackson closed the first quarter with a three-pointer for 20-17 edge, giving Houston the lead for good, and the Rockets eventually led by as many as 22 to snap a two-game losing streak and send New Jersey to its third consecutive loss.

Tracy McGrady, returning from a two-game absence caused by a strained right hip, scored 14 points. Jackson had a season-high 18. Yao Ming was in foul trouble and had six points.

Richard Jefferson has 17 points for the Nets.

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New Orleans Hornet guard Baron Davis could be sidelined at least seven days after an MRI exam disclosed an inflamed disk in his lower back, Coach Byron Scott said.... New Jersey Net guard Ron Mercer had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and is expected to miss six to eight weeks, the team said.