Cleveland ? Rafer Alston wasn’t around for the end of the Toronto Raptors’ 104-91 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He wasn’t even in the arena.

Alston left Gund Arena during the fourth quarter Tuesday night after coach Sam Mitchell benched him with 3:46 remaining in the first quarter.

“It’s like one big soap opera,” Raptors forward Morris Peterson said.

Mitchell, who suspended Alston for two games for storming out of a practice late last month, was guarded in his postgame comments.

“It’s a basketball thing that Rafer and I have to sort out,” said the first-year coach. “Rafer is determined in his way, and I’m determined in my way.

“He is struggling with some basketball things, and I wasn’t planning on playing him in the second half. I expect him to play tomorrow and expect him to be a starter.”

LeBron James had 15 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas, named an All-Star reserve earlier in the day, led the Cavs with 23 points on 8-for-13 from the field. He had six rebounds and three blocked shots.

Grizzlies 108, Timberwolves 96

Memphis, Tenn. — Lorenzen Wright had 18 points and 12 rebounds, leading six Memphis players in double figures. It marked Wright’s fourth consecutive double-double as Memphis won for the fourth time in five games.

Cleveland's Zydrunas Ilgauskas, center, is guarded by Toronto's Loren Woods, left, and Jalen Rose. Ilgauskas scored 23 points to lead the Cavaliers to a 104-91 victory Tuesday night in Cleveland.

Nuggets 97, Jazz 87

Denver — Earl Boykins came off the bench to score 20 points, outscoring all five Utah starters by himself, and Carmelo Anthony had 25 points for Denver.

Suns 125, Kings 123

Sacramento, Calif. — Amare Stoudemire blocked a shot by Brad Miller with less than a second remaining that would have tied the game, and Phoenix beat Sacramento.

Sonics 108, Hornets 91

Seattle — Ray Allen scored 26 points, and Vladimir Radmanovic added 18 points off the bench, leading Seattle.

Bulls 107, Mavericks 100

Dallas — Luol Deng had 30 points and 11 rebounds, and Eddy Curry added 23 points, including several big buckets in the fourth quarter, to lead Chicago.

Spurs 104, Bobcats 85

Charlotte, N.C. — Not even the absence of Tim Duncan could slow San Antonio, which received a big lift from the return of Rasho Nesterovic. With Duncan out for the first time this season because of a sprained ankle, Nesterovic marked his return to the starting lineup after a six-game absence with 15 points and eight rebounds in just 22 minutes.

Bucks 121, Celtics 97

Milwaukee — Mike James scored a career-high 28 points, including eight three-pointers, to lead Milwaukee. James had 19 points before halftime.

Warriors 113, Magic 109

Orlando, Fla. — Jason Richardson scored 11 of his 32 points in the final 3:24, and Golden State defeated Orlando to snap a 10-game road losing streak.