Artest Pivotal as Cavaliers’ Streak Ends

Ron Artest shut down LeBron James and the streaking Cleveland Cavaliers.

The former defensive player of the year held James to 19 points on six-for-20 shooting Thursday night to help Indiana end Cleveland’s eight-game winning streak with a 98-76 victory at Indianapolis.

“It’s nothing personal, like a one-on-one matchup with him,” Artest said. “It’s a team thing. I am a hungry defender and want to win and will guard anybody if that will help us win.”

Artest also scored 21 points on six-for-12 shooting.

The Pacers won their third in a row while the Cavaliers missed becoming the first Eastern Conference team to win 10 games. Cleveland averaged a league-best 105 points per game coming in, but was held to 38% shooting and tied its season low for points.

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Doug Christie, 35, and the Dallas Mavericks were working on a contract settlement, a week after the guard left the team to have his surgically repaired left ankle examined by his personal physician. Christie signed a three-year contract in August, but only the $3.1 million for the first season was guaranteed.... Milwaukee Buck rookie Andrew Bogut had surgery on his broken nose and will wear a protective mask for at least six weeks. Bogut was hit by an errant Allen Iverson hand during Wednesday’s victory over Philadelphia.