James’ 44 Points Spark Cavaliers

With Cleveland on the verge of getting routed for a third straight time, LeBron James dribbled with a disgusted look on his face and quickly made a jumper from just inside the three-point line.

“I just wanted to get in the game and put us in a position to win,” James said. “It was time for me to shoot the ball and every time I shoot I feel like it is going in -- that’s just my confidence level.”

James scored 17 of his 44 points in the fourth quarter Monday night, when the Cleveland Cavaliers erased a 17-point deficit en route to a 109-108 overtime victory over the Hornets at New Orleans.

James was off target when he tried to tie the game with a tough jumper late in overtime. But Drew Gooden, who hadn’t scored since the first quarter, grabbed the rebound in traffic and scored as he was fouled with 6.4 seconds left, converting a three-point play that ended the Cavaliers’ 11-game road losing streak.

Dan Dickau missed on a drive at the buzzer.

“They were on their heels down the stretch in the fourth quarter, so I think the tables turned,” Gooden said.

The Hornets led, 84-67, early in the fourth quarter before James scored 14 points during a 25-7 run that vaulted Cleveland into the lead.

Phoenix 123, Denver 114 -- Joe Johnson had eight points and Steve Nash five during a 13-2 fourth-quarter run at Phoenix that helped the Suns end a Nugget winning streak for the second time this month, this time without Amare Stoudemire (ankle).

The Nuggets had won eight in a row when Phoenix beat them, 106-101, at Denver on March 13, and they won their next six before Monday night.

Shawn Marion had 30 points and 14 rebounds and Johnson and Nash had 23 points each for Phoenix. Carmelo Anthony had 22 points for Denver.

Houston 99, Utah 85 -- Tracy McGrady made 14 of his first 17 shots en route to 44 points in a victory at Salt Lake City. McGrady made 15 of 21 shots and 11 of 16 free throws.

Dallas 95, Detroit 88 -- Josh Howard scored 24 points and Dirk Nowitzki added 22 at Auburn Hills, Mich., to help the Mavericks hand the Pistons their fourth loss in their last five games.

Chicago 94, Memphis 86 -- Eddy Curry scored 25 points and the Bulls nearly blew an 18-point fourth-quarter lead at Chicago before winning their sixth in a row. Bonzi Wells had 22 of his season-high 30 points in the second half for Memphis, which twice got within two in the fourth quarter.

Orlando 109, Atlanta 102 -- Steve Francis had 30 points, 10 assists and six rebounds at Orlando, Fla., to help the Magic end a three-game losing streak. Atlanta has lost 11 in a row.

Washington 114, Portland 106 -- Gilbert Arenas scored 28 points and Larry Hughes added 25 at Portland, Ore., to help the Wizards retain a one-game lead over the Bulls for fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

Golden State 108, New York 100 -- Baron Davis had 33 points and Troy Murphy added 19 points and 19 rebounds for the Warriors at Oakland. The Knicks fell to 0-3 on a four-game trip.

New Jersey 95, Charlotte 91 -- Vince Carter scored 39 points at Charlotte, N.C., to help the Nets complete a four-game season sweep of the Bobcats.

Indiana 90, Milwaukee 76 -- Reggie Miller made five of seven three-pointers and scored 12 of his 22 points in the third quarter to lead the Pacers at Milwaukee. The Bucks lost their sixth in a row.