LeBron James (left) of the Cleveland Cavaliers is fouled by Nick Collison of the Seattle SuperSonics while going to the hoop in the first quarter of their game at the Q Arena in Cleveland on Wednesday night. James scored a game-high 31 points and the Cavaliers won 112-85. - REUTERS
NEW YORK, (Reuters):
LEBRON JAMES poured in a game-high 31 points, including 11-of-11 from the free-throw line, as the Cleveland Cavaliers rolled to a 112-85 win over the Seattle SuperSonics on Wednesday night at Quicken Loans Arena.
Larry Hughes contributed 13 points to the Cleveland cause while Donyell Marshall had 13 points and nine rebounds as Cavaliers won for the third time in five games this season.
The Cavaliers were helped by a near-perfect night from the free-throw line, making a franchise-record 28 consecutive attempts before their first miss.
Ray Allen nailed 28 points for the SuperSonics in a losing effort while Ronald Murray had 15.
Cleveland took early command, jumping out to a 34-26 first-quarter lead, and built on their advantage in the second to take a 65-43 cushion into the intermission.
The SuperSonics attempted to rally in the third with a 12-5 run that trimmed the lead to 76-60, but would get no closer as the Cavaliers took an 89-67 lead into the final quarter.
In Philadelphia, Allen Iverson hit a game-high 25 points and Andre Iguodala added 22 points, seven rebounds and five assists to guide the 76ers to a 112-97 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
Kyle Korver drained 20 points and Chris Webber chipped in with 19 points and 11 rebounds for the 76ers, who registered their second consecutive win after opening the season with three losses.
PACERS COOL THE HEAT
In Indianapolis, Ron Artest scored 24 points and Jermaine O'Neal added 17 and grabbed eight rebounds to help the Pacers to a 95-90 win over the Miami Heat.
Dwyane Wade scored 29 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out six assists for the Heat, who continue to play without injured Shaquille O'Neal.
In East Rutherford, Vince Carter had a game-high 21 points and Nenad Krstic contributed 18 points and six rebounds as the New Jersey Nets eased past the Utah Jazz 91-83.
Andrei Kirilenko paced the Jazz with 18 points.
In Minneapolis, Kevin Garnett scored 17 points and pulled down 15 rebounds as the Minnesota Timberwolves dumped the Los Angeles Lakers 88-74.
Kobe Bryant paced the Lakers with 28 points.
In Washington, Elton Brand scored 31 points and snared 13 rebounds as the Los Angeles Clippers edged the Wizards 102-97, handing Washington their first loss of the season.
In Boston, Ricky Davis hit the game-winning jumper as time expired and Paul Pierce had a game-high 29 points, guiding the Celtics past the Memphis Grizzlies 99-98.
In Charlotte, Tim Duncan scored 29 points and snared 10 rebounds while Tony Parker chipped in with 23 points and dished out six assists, sparking the NBA champion San Antonio Spurs to a 94-86 win over the Bobcats.
In Oklahoma City, Steve Francis had 24 points and snared eight rebounds as the Orlando Magic downed the New Orleans Hornets 88-83.
In Chicago, Kirk Hinrich had a game-high 23 points and Michael Sweetney hit a pair of clutch free throws with less than seven seconds to play to lift the Bulls to an 85-84 win over the Golden State Warriors.
