Fourth quarter belongs to James

LeBron James calls the fourth quarter “winning time.”

James scored 16 of his 38 points in the final period, leading a second-half rally that gave the Cleveland Cavaliers their seventh consecutive victory, 105-93 over the short-handed Utah Jazz.

“That’s when games are decided,” said James, who made six of 10 shots in the final 12 minutes. “Especially when it’s a close game, and tonight was a close game.”

From the Cavaliers’ standpoint, it was a lot closer than expected. The Jazz, in the finale of a five-game Eastern trip, was without starters Deron Williams and Mehmet Okur, and top reserves Andrei Kirilenko and Matt Harpring.

Jazz Coach Jerry Sloan refused to use the fact his team was so short-handed as an excuse. In fact, he admitted his younger players were intimidated by James’ presence.

“We didn’t even get close enough to guard him at times,” Sloan said.