Cleveland ? LeBron James has decided it’s time to take control of the Cavaliers.

Cleveland’s standout rookie had 23 points and nine assists, and Carlos Boozer scored a career-high 28 points as Cleveland finally won on national television, 95-86, over the Detroit Pistons Thursday night.

James, whose addition to the Cavs has given them unprecedented exposure, expectations and pressure, helped Cleveland improve to 1-5 in prime-time telecasts.

“We finally got one,” said James, who followed coach Paul Silas’ orders and drove to the basket more than he has all season. “We needed to get one — whether it was on TV or not.”

Cleveland has won just two of 11, but this was a victory that the Cavaliers may one day look back at as the night they became James’ team. The No. 1 overall pick has been reluctant to take a leadership role, but with 22 games under his belt, James thinks it may be time for him to start showing the way.

“I haven’t made myself the complete leader of this team,” he said.

But he certainly took a big step.

“Oh, yeah,” he said. “It’s going to change.”

Cleveland also snapped an eight-game losing streak to Detroit. The Cavs hadn’t beaten the Pistons since Dec. 4, 2001.

The win was also Cleveland’s first over a team with a winning record since the Cavs defeated New Orleans last April 5.

Ricky Davis, whose name continually pops up in trade rumors, had 15 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Davis also had a vicious dunk, cutting through four Pistons in the fourth quarter to throw one down as the Cavs were putting it away.

Richard Hamilton led the Pistons with 19 points.

Spurs 71, Rockets 67

Houston — Tim Duncan scored 14 of his 22 points in the second half to lead San Antonio over Houston in a game in which the teams combined for the lowest-scoring first half in NBA history. The teams struggled with their shooting in the first half and combined for an NBA-record-low 55 points, the fewest two-team total since the shot clock was introduced in 1954-55.

The previous low first-half total was 57, accomplished by Detroit and Denver Nov. 16, 2002, and New York and Miami Jan. 30, 2003. The league record for fewest points in a half is 51, in the second half of the Boston-Milwaukee game Feb. 27, 1955.

Hornets 111, Suns 101

Phoenix — Baron Davis scored 14 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter and New Orleans spoiled the debut of Phoenix coach Mike D’Antoni. Six Hornets scored in double figures, including all five starters.