James, Cavaliers Halt Nets’ Streak

The New Jersey Nets didn’t have an answer for LeBron James in the fourth quarter, and now they won’t have to answer any more questions about their NBA-best winning streak.

James scored 18 of his 37 points in the final 12 minutes Saturday at East Rutherford, N.J., to help lead Cleveland to a 108-102 victory, ending New Jersey’s 14-game winning streak and leaving the Nets one win shy of a franchise record.

James’ effort came one game after he scored 21 fourth-quarter points against the New York Knicks in a losing effort Wednesday. This time, the Cavaliers ensured their 10th win in 11 games by scoring 12 of the game’s final 13 points after New Jersey took a 101-96 lead.

The tying points came on a vintage James move as he drove the lane on a fast break with two players hacking at his arms yet somehow managed to spin the ball off the glass. The three-point play tied the score, 101-101, with 50 seconds left.

“By far, this is our biggest win of the year, especially the way we played down the stretch,” James said. “We won a big game on the road. It was all about stops and making plays down the stretch. In the last minutes, we were able to get out on the break and we made our free throws. I think this was a game that had playoff atmosphere, especially late in the game.”

New Jersey was trying to become the first team since the Lakers in 1999-00 to win at least 15 games in a row. The Lakers won 19 from Feb. 4 through March 13, 2000.

Vince Carter, who was the Nets’ late-game closer in many of their wins during the run, scored 33 points but missed three shots and a foul shot in the final minute.

Carter had nothing but praise afterward for James, who remained in the game despite picking up his fifth foul with 3:55 left.

“He’s a great player,” Carter said. “He shares the ball for 3 1/2 quarters and in the last six minutes he turns it up. He’s phenomenal.”

Denver 95, Golden State 92 -- Carmelo Anthony scored 28 points and the Nuggets clinched at least a tie for their first division title in 18 years, holding off the Warriors at Denver.

Marcus Camby grabbed 17 rebounds and blocked eight shots for Denver, which can clinch the Northwest Division title with one more win or a loss by Utah.

Derek Fisher and Ike Diogu had 19 points each for Golden State, which has lost eight in a row.

Utah 110, Portland 93 -- Andrei Kirilenko scored 15 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter at Salt Lake City and the Jazz moved within 2 1/2 games of the Lakers and Sacramento Kings, who are tied for the final two playoff spots in the Western Conference.

The Jazz is tied with New Orleans in ninth place with six games to play.

Dallas 101, New Orleans 77 -- The Mavericks followed their victory over San Antonio by beating the Hornets at Dallas to draw within half a game of the Spurs in the Western Conference.

The victory has added significance because it was against a division foe, which could become the deciding tiebreaker if the Mavericks (58-19) and Spurs (58-18) finish with the same record.

Miami 99, Washington 86 -- Shaquille O’Neal had 27 points and 10 rebounds, Derek Anderson compensated for Dwyane Wade’s foul trouble with five three-point baskets and the visiting Heat beat the Wizards for the 16th consecutive time.

Philadelphia 89, Chicago 75 -- Allen Iverson scored 39 points and the slumping 76ers moved into a tie for eighth place in the Eastern Conference by defeating the Bulls at Chicago.