Cavaliers Defeat Pacers to Stay Hot

LeBron James scored 26 points and forced Ron Artest to take a tough three-point shot as the final horn sounded, leading the host Cleveland Cavaliers to their sixth win in a row, 107-104, Sunday over the Indiana Pacers.

Zydrunas Ilguaskas made two free throws with 36 seconds left and forced a key turnover seconds later for the Cavs, who improved to 10-3 since the All-Star break.

The Cavaliers (30-36), who won 17 games last season, have won six in a row for the first time since Dec. 5-16, 2000.

Jermaine O’Neal had 32 points for the Pacers, whose seven-game winning streak ended.

Portland 92, Minnesota 83 -- Zach Randolph had 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Derek Anderson scored 21 points to lead the Trail Blazers to their third victory in a row.

Portland beat Minnesota for the second time in five days, this time at Minneapolis.

Kevin Garnett had 20 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists for the Timberwolves, who have lost five of their last eight games.

New York 103, Milwaukee 100 -- Tim Thomas scored 20 points against his former team, all but two in the second half, and Stephon Marbury had 21 points and 16 assists as the Knicks rallied from a 26-point deficit at Milwaukee.

Brian Skinner had 21 points for the Bucks.

Toronto 101, Atlanta 84 -- Jalen Rose scored 23 points in his first game in more than a month to help the Raptors beat the Hawks at Toronto.

Rose sat out 16 games because of four broken bones in his left hand.

Vince Carter had 32 points for the Raptors, who won for the third time in 16 games.

Miami 104, New Jersey 95 -- Lamar Odom’s three field goals all came in the final five minutes to help end the Nets’ 15-game winning streak against Eastern Conference teams.

Eddie Jones led the host Heat with 23 points, including nine in the fourth quarter. Richard Jefferson scored 25 points for the Nets.

Denver 102, Utah 75 -- Andre Miller had 24 points and 11 assists, and the host Nuggets extended their lead over the Jazz for the final spot in the Western Conference playoffs to 1 1/2 games. Carlos Arroyo led Utah with 13 points.