LeBron James (23) of the Cleveland Cavaliers scores two points in front of Michael Sweetney (50) and Tyson Chandler (right) of the Chicago Bulls in their game in Cleveland on Monday night. James scored 32 points to lead the Cavaliers to a 102-91 win over the Bulls. - REUTERS
NEW YORK, (Reuters):
LEBRON JAMES poured in 32 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out six assists in leading the Cleveland Cavaliers past the Chicago Bulls 102-91 on Monday night, extending their winning streak to six games.
The brief holiday break did little to cool off James, who has been in red-hot form in December, surpassing 30 points for the ninth time in 12 games this month and the 16th time this season.
Drew Gooden contributed 20 points and 10 boards to the Cavaliers cause while Larry Hughes chipped in with 19 and Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 10 points and 14 rebounds.
Chris Duhon, Andres Nocioni and Tyson Chandler each potted 15 points for the slumping Bulls, who slipped to their fourth straight defeat.
The Cavaliers took command 27-21 in the opening quarter and led 55-45 at the half.
Chicago rallied briefly in the third by pulling to within 63-62 behind a 17-8 run, but the Cavaliers responded to the threat with a 14-4 run of their own to retake control 77-66 heading into the final quarter.
In Washington, Gilbert Arenas hit 34 points and grabbed seven rebounds as Wizards rallied past the Los Angeles Lakers 94-91 for their third straight win.
Kobe Bryant had 31 points for the Lakers, who squandered a 12-point third quarter lead as Los Angeles absorbed painful back-to-back losses coming off a Christmas Day defeat to the Miami Heat.
In New York, Vince Carter poured in 27 points and Richard Jefferson added 23 as the surging New Jersey Nets eased past the slumping Knicks 109-101 for their sixth consecutive win.
Stephon Marbury had 21 for the Knicks, who have dropped eight of their last nine contests.
In Orlando, Steve Francis nailed 21 points while Grant Hill chipped in with 20 and Dwight Howard added 19 points and 14 rebounds as the Magic broke out of a four game losing skid with a 108-93 win over the Milwaukee Bucks
In Minneapolis, Boris Diaw sank career-high 31 points and pulled down 11 rebounds while Steve Nash had 24 points and dished out 12 assists as the Phoenix Suns burned the Timberwolves 103-89.
In Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki scored 23 points, including 11-of-11 from the foul line and Devin Harris added 20 as the Mavericks stampeded past the Indiana Pacers 102-80.
In Salt Lake City, Andrei Kirilenko drained a season-high 24 points and snared 14 rebounds and Memhet Okur added 23 points and 10 boards, directing the Utah Jazz to a 105-102 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
