Cleveland ? As usual, LeBron James made the crucial steal, the monster dunk and the perfect pass. He left the clinching shot for Lucious Harris.

“Nobody on this team wanted that shot more than Lucious,” James said.

James scored 27 points and assisted on Harris’ three-pointer with 6 seconds left as the first-place Cleveland Cavaliers won their eighth straight at home, 103-97 over the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday night.

At 12-6, the Cavaliers have the best record in the NBA’s Eastern Conference — the first time they’ve had that distinction after more than 15 games since March 21, 1989, when they were 48-17 and James was 4 years old.

There’s a long way to go this season, but Cleveland is looking more and more like a legitimate power — and James is the biggest reason why.

“You expect something from him every night that he’s going to do to help you win,” Cavs coach Paul Silas said. “And that’s who he is.”

James, who added eight assists, was asked if the rest of the league was taking the Cavaliers’ fast start seriously.

“They’d better,” he said. “I feel like we’re a good team right now and we’re going to keep going.”

After his two free throws put the Cavaliers up 97-93 with 1:35 to play, James stole Richard Jefferson’s crosscourt pass and streaked in for a thunderous slam dunk. As the Gund Arena crowd erupted, the Nets called timeout and James walked to Cleveland’s bench screaming, “This is my house.”

Cleveland's Lebron James (23) soars to the basket against New Jersey. James scored 27 points as the Cavaliers defeated the Nets, 103-97, Tuesday night in Cleveland.

The Nets pulled within 100-97 on Jason Collins’ tip with 30.9 seconds to go, but James fed Harris in the right corner and the shooting guard, who spent seven seasons with the Nets before signing with Cleveland as a free agent last summer, drilled his three — Cleveland’s first after missing seven.

Suns 118, Warriors 104

Phoenix — Steve Nash had 11 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter when Phoenix rallied from seven points down to beat Golden State. Amare Stoudemire had 33 points and 11 rebounds, Shawn Marion had 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Joe Johnson chipped in 20 points as the Suns won for the 12th time in 13 games.

The Warriors, who had won two straight after a 3-12 start, led for most of the game behind Jason Richardson, who had a season-high 32 points and 10 rebounds. Mike Dunleavy contributed season-highs of 24 points and 13 rebounds, Derek Fisher scored 13 off the bench, and Cliff Robinson had 11.

Bucks 89, Pacers 86

Indianapolis — Michael Redd scored 28 points, leading Milwaukee to its first road win of the season.

Desmond Mason added 21 points and seven rebounds for the Bucks, who opened with seven straight road losses before breaking through against Indiana thanks in large part to a 48-34 rebounding advantage.

The Bucks barely held on after Reggie Miller led a furious rally in the fourth quarter. Playing his second game of the season after missing the first 16 because of a broken left hand, Miller was his old unstoppable self. He scored 19 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter.

Rockets 89, Hornets 81

Houston — Yao Ming scored 21 points and had nine rebounds, leading Houston. Tracy McGrady had his second straight poor shooting night, shooting just 7-of-19 — including 1-of-8 from three-point range — to finish with 18 points.

The Hornets, with only one victory this season, have lost seven straight. Their 16 first-quarter points were a season-low for a Rockets opponent, and their 30 first-half points tied an opponent’s season low. David Wesley led New Orleans with 18 points.

Grizzlies 96, Knicks 88

Memphis, Tenn. — Earl Watson scored a career-high 22 points, missing only one of his 10 shots, and Mike Miller added 20, leading Memphis over New York. Watson, filling in after starter Jason Williams (sprained right ankle) went on the injured list, also had five assists.

The Grizzlies led by as many as 15 late in the third period, and the Knicks got no closer than the final margin in the fourth quarter while dropping their third straight.

Kings 109, Bobcats 92

Sacramento, Calif. — Peja Stojakovic had season highs of 30 points and 12 rebounds, and Brad Miller scored 27 points in Sacramento’s 12th victory in 13 games. With Chris Webber sitting out to rest his sore left knee, Darius Songaila matched his career high with 17 points and 11 rebounds in Sacramento’s fifth straight win.

Mavs 97, T’wolves 87

Minneapolis — Dirk Nowitzki scored 34 points, including 23 in the second half, to lead Dallas over Minnesota and snap the Timberwolves’ five-game winning streak.

Josh Howard had 13 points and 12 rebounds for the Mavericks.