James Gets 46, but Phoenix Wins

The Phoenix Suns overcame a 46-point performance by LeBron James to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, 115-106, Saturday night at Phoenix, their ninth victory in 11 games.

James told USA Basketball chief Jerry Colangelo, managing director of USA Basketball, before the game that he would play for the U.S. team at this year’s world championships and the 2008 Olympics.

Then he put on an all-world show that included eight assists and seven rebounds.

But it wasn’t enough against the deep, high-scoring Suns, and the Cavaliers lost their third in a row, matching their longest skid of the season.

“It’s officially official in his case and I know he’s excited about it,” Colangelo said. “He’s obviously one of the core guys you want because of his talent, his age, his maturity at a very young age.”

James, who has a season-high 52 points and career-best 56, made 18 of 28 shots, five of eight of them from three-point range. Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 26 points and 12 rebounds for the Cavaliers.

Cleveland twice cut the lead to two midway through the fourth quarter and was behind, 106-103, after James’ emphatic slam with 2:53 to play.

But Steve Nash made two free throws, Raja Bell made a three-point basket and Shawn Marion dunked on a bounce-pass from Nash, and the Suns were in control for good, 113-103, with 2:53 remaining.

Miami 100, Utah 94 -- Dwyane Wade followed his third career triple-double by nearly getting his fourth, finishing with 31 points, eight rebounds and eight assists to lead the Heat at Salt Lake City.

Shaquille O’Neal had 14 rebounds and 12 points despite two quick fouls in the first quarter.

The Heat improved to 4-2 on a seven-game trip, which concludes Monday against the Lakers in Staples Center.

Indiana 91, Chicago 89 -- Anthony Johnson’s basket with 3.9 seconds left at Chicago lifted the short-handed Pacers past the Bulls.

Already without Ron Artest, inactive for the last month, the Pacers had to play most of the game without leading scorer and rebounder Jermaine O’Neal, who sprained his left ankle with 6:46 left in the second quarter and never returned. He attempted to block Kirk Hinrich’s shot and landed on Hinrich’s foot.

Washington 114, Atlanta 106 -- Gilbert Arenas scored seven of his 33 points in overtime at Atlanta, helping the Wizards beat the Hawks for the seventh consecutive time.

Josh Childress dunked to give Atlanta its last lead with 2:05 left in overtime. Arenas answered with a three-point play 44 seconds later that put the Wizards ahead to stay at 106-104.

Detroit 114, Charlotte 91 -- The Pistons had no problems beating the short-handed Bobcats at Auburn Hills, Mich. The Bobcats dressed only 10 players, as Sean May (knee) and Jake Voskuhl (ankle) stayed home with injuries.

Charlotte (11-26) has lost three in a row and seven of eight. The Pistons, who have the best record in the league (29-5), have won five of six.

San Antonio 80, Memphis 79 -- Tim Duncan made a layup off an inbound alley-oop pass from Manu Ginobili with 7.2 seconds left at San Antonio.

The Spurs led by 15 points midway through the third quarter before the Grizzlies charged back. Bobby Jackson passed to Pau Gasol cutting down the lane for a dunk to give them a 79-78 lead with 8.8 seconds left.

Denver 100, Milwaukee 93 -- Carmelo Anthony scored 38 points to help Coach George Karl get a victory in his return to Milwaukee.

Karl coached the Bucks from 1998 to 2003. Buck Coach Terry Stotts was Karl’s assistant in Seattle and Milwaukee from 1993 to 2002.

New Orleans 86, Houston 80 -- The Hornets finished the game at Houston with an 18-6 run to beat the Rockets for the third time this season.

Juwan Howard had 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets, who fell to 0-11 without Tracy McGrady, who has missed Houston’s last three games with back spasms that have plagued him all season.

Dallas 110, New Jersey 77 -- Josh Howard scored 29 points and Keith Van Horn had 23 at Dallas, leading the Mavericks to their 11th consecutive victory over the Nets.

The season-high point totals from Howard and Van Horn helped Dallas to its fourth victory in five games.