Cleveland ? A hood pulled over his aching head, LeBron James staggered back into Gund Arena looking like a beaten boxer.

So much for looking sharp for the birthday bash. On the night before he turned 20, James was in no condition to celebrate.

Cleveland’s standout forward was flattened by an elbow from Houston’s Dikembe Mutombo in the first half, and the Rockets went on to a 98-87 win over the Cavaliers on Wednesday night.

“I never saw him,” Mutombo said. “The next thing I know, boom, he was laying on the floor. I hope it’s not too bad.”

Tracy McGrady scored 34 points and Yao Ming added 20 for the Rockets, who didn’t have to contend with James after halftime and snapped a five-game losing streak on the road.

James bruised a bone near his left eye. He was moving across the lane when he was accidentally leveled by Mutombo, whose elbows have dropped more than a few NBA players over the years.

“I warned him before the game to watch out,” said Cavaliers guard Eric Snow, who played with Mutombo in Philadelphia. “I’ve seen him take out teammates and opponents. Those things are dangerous.”

James was taken to the Cleveland Clinic for X-rays and a CAT scan. He was not available for comment after returning from the hospital. The team said it would have test results and an update on his condition today.

“It’s too bad,” Cavs guard Jeff McInnis said. “I know he wanted to do well tonight with it being his birthday.”

Cleveland's LeBron James grimaces in pain after receiving an elbow to the face. James bruised a bone near his left eye in the Cavaliers' 98-87 loss to Houston on Wednesday night in Cleveland.

After he was nailed by Mutombo, James immediately dropped to the floor, covered his eyes and kicked his feet in obvious pain while lying face down as play continued. When Houston scored, the officials stopped the action and Cleveland’s medical staff rushed out to help James, who had to be assisted off the court as he held a towel against his head.

The sellout crowd in Gund Arena fell silent as James walked off.

Grizzlies 117, Celtics 109

Memphis, Tenn. — Pau Gasol scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and Memphis rallied in the final period.

After trailing most of the game, the Grizzlies launched an 18-3 run to begin the fourth quarter and take a 101-97 lead.

In the run, Memphis got eight points from Earl Watson and seven from Mike Miller.

Memphis went up 114-105 with just over two minutes to play on two foul shots by James Posey. He had eight points, seven rebounds and seven assists in the game.

Bucks 111, Magic 105

Orlando, Fla. — Michael Redd scored 29 points and Milwaukee received 15 points and a career-high 14 rebounds from center Dan Gadzuric.

The Bucks, who had only 11 players in uniform because of injuries, received contributions from 10 of them in recording their third straight victory. Desmond Mason added 21 points, and Zaza Pachulia, starting for the first time this season, had nine points and 11 rebounds.

Pistons 107, Wizards 105

Washington — Chauncey Billups hit a 14-foot jumper with 0.7 seconds remaining, giving Detroit a victory. The Pistons overcame a 19-point first-half deficit and trailed by as many as 15 in the third quarter. Billups and Rasheed Wallace led the fourth-quarter comeback, with Billups scoring 10 points in the final five minutes.

Pacers 74, Bobcats 71

Charlotte, N.C. — Jermaine O’Neal had 24 points and 17 rebounds, leading Indiana.

O’Neal didn’t have a great shooting night, going just 9-for-24, but it was enough to give the Pacers back-to-back wins for the first time in December.

Warriors 111, Raptors 105

Oakland, Calif. — Mike Dunleavy made the go-ahead shot with 37 seconds left and finished with a season-high 29 points in Golden State’s fourth straight victory.

Jason Richardson scored a season-high 35 points and added two late free throws for the Warriors, who extended their longest winning streak under first-year coach Mike Montgomery in a surprisingly intense meeting between last-place teams.

Clippers 101, Jazz 90

Los Angeles — Elton Brand had 23 points and 10 rebounds, Bobby Simmons and Corey Maggette each added 22 points and Los Angeles sent the Jazz to their third straight defeat. Carlos Boozer scored 23 points for the Jazz, who dropped to 11-18 after their 13th loss in 16 games. They haven’t finished a season with a losing record since 1982-83, when they were 30-52 under Frank Layden.

Suns 107, Hornets 96

New Orleans — Quentin Richardson broke a franchise record with nine three-pointers and finished with 31 points and 11 rebounds, leading the Suns.

Richardson’s final three-pointer came right after a three by rookie J.R. Smith had pulled New Orleans to 98-93 with 56 seconds to go.

Knicks 100, Timberwolves 87

New York — Stephon Marbury took over down the stretch and finished with 32 points and 11 assists, leading New York. Marbury scored 15 of his points in the final quarter, including a personal 9-2 run that gave New York a 94-85 lead with 1:46 remaining.