James gang too much for Miami

LeBron and Co. hand Riley first loss since taking over Heat

? LeBron James scored 41 points, and Donyell Marshall added a season-high 25, helping the Cleveland Cavaliers hold off Miami, 115-107, Saturday night, handing coach Pat Riley his first loss since taking over the Heat on Monday.

The Heat looked sluggish early, playing their fourth road game in five nights. Shaquille O’Neal got into foul trouble early, and the Cavaliers led by as many as 22 late in the third quarter.

The Heat had won four straight, including three with Riley after Stan Van Gundy resigned Monday. Cleveland has won two straight after dropping seven of nine.

James added 10 assists and five rebounds and was 12-of-13 from the foul line.

Dwyane Wade led the Heat with 33 points. O’Neal tied a season-low with 10, and Alonzo Mourning scored 14.

The Cavs’ Drew Gooden, a Kansas University product, sprained his left ankle when he came down on O’Neal’s foot late in the first half. He had to be helped off the floor and did not return.

Pistons 103, Bobcats 78

Charlotte, N.C. – Chauncey Billups had 21 points and 12 assists to help Detroit improve to an NBA-best 18-3, the best 21-game mark in franchise history.

Richard Hamilton added 15 points, and Ben Wallace had 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Pistons, 11-2 on the road.

Primoz Brezec had 17 points, and Emeka Okafor added 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Bobcats.

Grizzlies 91, Suns 87

Memphis, Tenn. – Mike Miller had 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Pau Gasol also scored 14 points to help Memphis snap a three-game losing streak.

Phoenix lost for the fourth time in its last five. Eddie House led the Suns with 21 points.

Pacers 102, Knicks 96

New York – Jermaine O’Neal scored 31 points, including the go-ahead basket with 1:56 left, and Indiana handed New York its season-high sixth straight loss.

Jamaal Tinsley added 23 points, seven assists and six rebounds for the Pacers.

Stephon Marbury scored 25 for the Knicks.

Clippers 89, Rockets 81

Los Angeles – Sam Cassell had 22 points, and Elton Brand scored nine of his 20 points in the final six minutes as Los Angeles snapped Houston’s five-game winning streak.

Tracy McGrady scored 25 of his 29 points in the first half for the Rockets.

Spurs 90, Kings 89

San Antonio – Michael Finley hit a 20-foot jumper with 2.5 seconds left to lift the Spurs past Sacramento.

Tony Parker had 25 points and a season-high 12 assists for the Spurs.

Sacramento’s Shareef Abdur-Rahim matched his season high with 25 points on 12-for-16 shooting.

Bulls 118, Celtics 86

Chicago – Michael Sweetney had 24 points and seven rebounds to lead the Bulls.

Chicago hit a club-record nine three-pointers in the third quarter and was 14-of-17 overall from three-point range.

Ricky Davis had 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists for the Celtics.

Jazz 88, Bucks 80

Milwaukee – Mehmet Okur had 14 points and 14 rebounds, and Gordan Giricek and Deron Williams also each scored 14 points for Utah.

Michael Redd led the Bucks with 19 points. T.J. Ford added 16, and Jamaal Magloire had 14 points and 16 rebounds.