James helps Cavaliers end drought

LeBron James dunked over Tim Duncan with a snarl, an early statement of a rugged night. And by the time it was over, the Cleveland Cavaliers got out of San Antonio with their first victory there since 1988.

James scored 35 points, making a key layup and free throw late in the game to help stop a San Antonio rally and lead the Cavaliers to an 88-81 victory Friday night.

“I was 4 years old the last time we beat San Antonio,” in the Spurs’ hometown, James said. “I think for us to become one of the powerhouses which we’ve been preaching, we’ve got to go out there and walk the walk.”

But James’ night wasn’t as easy as it might have looked when he powered over Duncan for the early slam and scored 15 points in the first quarter.

The Spurs, one of the most dominant home court teams in the NBA, slashed a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter down to four and might have won if not for a dismal 18-for-34 effort shooting free throws.

“I wish I had a nickel for every time somebody asked me if free throws are a concern,” Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich said. They have “always been an Achilles’ heel.”

Duncan finished with 25 points and 12 rebounds and scored 14 points during a five-minute span to spark the rally. But he struggled badly from the free-throw line, making only nine of 19.

Miami 91, New Jersey 85 -- The Heat -- which lost to Chicago by 42 points on Tuesday -- avoided becoming the sixth defending NBA champion to start a season 0-2. And no reigning titleholder had ever opened a season with consecutive home losses, but this win wasn’t decided until the final moments.

Vince Carter made a short jumper from the left baseline to tie the score at 73-73 with 5:56 left. On Miami’s next possession, James Posey -- with the shot clock down to :02 -- made a long three-point basket to put the Heat back on top, and they stayed there the rest of the way.

With 1:26 left, Dwyane Wade clinched the victory -- he ducked behind Jason Kidd, Gary Payton delivered a perfect bounce pass and Wade scored to give Miami an 86-82 lead.

Philadelphia 105, Orlando 103 -- Allen Iverson scored 39 points, including a driving layup with 2.2 seconds to play to lead the visiting 76ers. Grant Hill, who led the Magic with 25 points, tied the score at 103-103 with a short bank shot, but he missed from 12 feet at the final buzzer.

Iverson made his first five shots in the third quarter, including a three-pointer that gave Philadelphia a 69-60 lead. His streak ended when the 6-foot-8 Hill took over the defensive assignment.

The 76ers scored six straight points to take a 103-99 lead with 42 seconds to play, but a dunk by Dwight Howard and Hill’s driving layup tied the score with 12 seconds left.

Utah 108, Phoenix 104 -- Carlos Boozer dunked with 31 seconds left for the go-ahead score, and the Jazz finished the game at Phoenix on a 13-3 run. The Jazz trailed, 101-95, after Leandro Barbosa’s two free throws with 2:26 to play.

Phoenix still led 103-101 on Steve Nash’s two free throws with 1:10 left. But Matt Harpring was fouled by James Jones on a layup and made the three-point play to put Utah ahead, 104-103, with 57 seconds left.

New Orleans 100, Indiana 91 -- The Hornets, trailing, 74-69, early in the fourth quarter at Indianapolis, went on a 14-0 run, highlighted by a dunk by Cedric Simmons, to take an 83-74 lead halfway through the period. The Pacers cut the deficit to 91-84 with 2:28 left, but Chris Paul scored two late baskets to keep the Hornets in control.

Toronto 109, Milwaukee 92 -- The Raptors pulled away in the fourth quarter at Toronto -- outscoring the Bucks 30-17. Anthony Parker and Fred Jones made consecutive three-point baskets to give Toronto a 99-82 lead with 5:40 left.

Sacramento 89, Chicago 88 -- Kevin Martin scored 30 points, including the go-ahead jumper with 6.4 seconds left at Chicago. The Bulls’ Chris Duhon threw away an inbounds pass with 13 seconds left. Mike Bibby drove the lane and passed out to Martin, whose jumper gave the Kings the lead.

Detroit 101, Boston 88 -- The host Celtics scored 10 consecutive points at the end of the third quarter and beginning of the fourth to take a 75-73 lead, then gave up nine in a row to fall behind for good.

Atlanta 102, New York 92 -- Joe Johnson enjoyed another big scoring night at the expense of the Knicks, finishing with 30 points to lead the Hawks at Atlanta. Johnson averaged 28.8 points against the Knicks last season -- his second-best mark against any team.

Memphis 96, Charlotte 83 -- Mike Miller scored 21 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter to lead the host Grizzlies. Miller’s shooting performance overshadowed that of Bobcat rookie Adam Morrison, who scored 21 points.

Minnesota 112, Denver 109 -- Kevin Garnett scored nine of his 27 points in the fourth quarter when the Timberwolves overcame a five-point deficit in the final five minutes.

Golden State 102, Portland 89 -- The Warriors beat the Trail Blazers for the seventh consecutive time dating to a 97-88 loss on Jan. 24, 2005, in Portland.