Cleveland ? LeBron James had already proved he could play in the NBA. Now he has proof he can win.

Cleveland’s rookie standout gained his first win as a pro Saturday night and the Cavaliers snapped a five-game losing streak to open the season with a 111-98 win over the Washington Wizards.

“It feels good,” said James, who had 17 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in 45 minutes. “We came together as a team. That’s what we need every night.”

Darius Miles and Ricky Davis scored 26 points apiece for the Cavaliers, who started the season 0-5.

Davis scored 23 in the second half for Cleveland, which used a 13-2 burst midway through the fourth quarter to separate from Washington and then did just enough down the stretch to hold off the Wizards.

“It’s a load off everybody’s shoulders, the players, the organization, everybody,” Cavs coach Paul Silas said. “I didn’t think we’d go 0-for-82, but to get the first win is pretty gratifying.”

After losing by one point Friday at Indiana, the Cavs looked like a different team, executing their halfcourt offense and playing with intensity on defense — something that had been missing in their first five games.

“It’s a big first step for us,” said Carlos Boozer, who had 19 points and eight rebounds. “Now we got it.”

Cleveland center DeSagana Diop had four rebounds and five blocks in 18 minutes.

Jazz 96, Grizzlies 89

Washington's Larry Hughes, left, defends Cleveland's LeBron James. The Cavaliers defeated the Wizards, 111-98, Saturday night in Cleveland.

Salt Lake City — Andrei Kirilenko had 25 points, Raul Lopez scored 10 of his 12 during a key run and Utah beat Memphis to stay undefeated at home. After missing Utah’s loss Friday at Golden Statebecause of his grandmother’s funeral, Matt Harpring returned and scored 14 points. DeShawn Stevenson added 13.

Mavericks 81, Spurs 78

San Antonio — Antawn Jamison scored 20 points, capped by a putback with 4.9 seconds remaining that led Dallas past San Antonio. The Spurs went up 78-77 on a corner three-pointer by Bruce Bowen with 1:29 left. But Steve Nash made a jumper on the next possession to put the Mavericks back on top.

Rockets 96, Magic 86

Houston — Steve Francis scored 31 points, Cuttino Mobley added 21 and Houston sent Orlando to its sixth straight loss. Yao Ming had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Rockets, who never trailed after the opening minutes and won their third straight game. Juwan Howard led the Magic with 22 points.

Bulls 109, Hornets 106

New Orleans — Jalen Rose came off the bench for the first time in more than four years and scored 34 points to lead Chicago past New Orleans. Rose, who had started 323 straight games, shot 10-of-15 and made four three-pointers to lead the Bulls, who shot 59.4 percent despite hitting only two of their last 12 shots.

T’wolves 88, Heat 79

Miami — Kevin Garnett had 25 points and 17 rebounds to lead Minnesota past winless Miami, the Timberwolves’ second straight road win. Garnett used his height advantage to dominate inside against the Heat’s smaller front line, and helped Minnesota follow up Friday’s 100-71 rout of Orlando.

Sam Cassell added 23 points, six assists and five rebounds, and Latrell Sprewell had 15 points for Minnesota.

Eddie Jones had 21 points to lead the Heat, who are 0-6 for the first time since opening their inaugural season in 1988-89 with 17 straight losses.

Blazers 90, Hawks 83

Portland, Ore. — Zach Randolph had 29 points and nine rebounds, and reserve Jeff McInnis scored 21 points to lead Portland. The Blazers led by as many as 11 points in the first half but struggled through the second, even briefly surrendering the lead when Shareef Abdur-Rahim’s jumper put the Hawks ahead 62-60. The Blazers regained the lead, but never put Atlanta away.

Bucks 90, Knicks 87

Milwaukee — T.J. Ford hit a pair of free throws with 7.7 seconds left and Tim Thomas scored 12 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter to lead Milwaukee past New York for the second time in four days. Charlie Ward missed two three-point attempts in the final 16 seconds, the second coming at the buzzer. Michael Redd added 22 points for the Bucks.