Duo dynamic for Cavaliers
James, Ilgauskas propel Cleveland past Bulls
Cleveland ? The Cavaliers’ All-Star twosome refuse to take any break.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas and LeBron James scored 41 of Cleveland’s 57 points in the second half as the Cavaliers came back from a few days off with a 100-91 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night.
Ilgauskas scored 33 points — 26 after halftime — and added eight rebounds and seven blocks, matching a career high. James finished with 27 points, 11 assists, six rebounds and five steals as the Cavaliers improved to 21-5 at home.
“We’re the two All-Stars on the team,” James said, “and we’re All-Stars for a reason. We showed why tonight.”
Trading shot for shot and basket for basket, Ilgauskas and James combined for 24 of their team’s 30 points in the third period when the Bulls, who beat Miami in overtime Tuesday, began to look tired.
The Ilgauskas-James Show continued in the fourth quarter, and at one point, the pair combined to score 35 consecutive points for Cleveland.
“You kind of expect it out of LeBron,” Cavaliers coach Paul Silas said. “If Z continues to play like that in the second half of the season, we’ve got a good chance to do something really special.”
Ben Gordon scored 21 points, 13 in the fourth quarter, to pace Chicago, which had its winning streak stopped at four. Kirk Hinrich added 13 points and Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry 12 apiece for the Bulls.
Nuggets 107, Celtics 86
Denver — Andre Miller scored 22 points, and Carmelo Anthony had 19 points, six rebounds and six assists to lead Denver past Boston. The Celtics fell to 0-2 since the All-Star break, this coming a night after a 104-95 loss to the Lakers.
Wizards 93, Grizzlies 83
Washington — Gilbert Arenas scored 30 points, and Antawn Jamison added 27 to lead Washington over Memphis. Arenas had 10 rebounds and six assists as the Wizards ended a three-game losing streak and won their fifth in a row at home.
Spurs 99, Rockets 81
San Antonio — Tim Duncan scored 30 points, and Tony Parker added 22 to lead San Antonio over Houston, its first victory over the Rockets in three tries this season.
Mavericks 101, Jazz 83
Salt Lake City — Dirk Nowitzki scored 16 of his 29 points in the second half, and Dallas rallied after blowing a 15-point lead. Josh Howard added 18 points and nine rebounds, and Michael Finley scored 24 for the Mavericks.
Suns 118, Clippers 101
Phoenix — Leandro Barbosa, playing in place of the injured Steve Nash, scored a season-high 22 points, helping Phoenix hand L.A. its eighth consecutive loss. Nash was sidelined ny a strained left hamstring.
Pacers 93, Heat 91, OT
Indianapolis — Jermaine O’Neal scored all three Indiana baskets in overtime, including a turnaround jumper from the baseline with 11 seconds remaining, and the Pacers beat Shaq-less Miami. O’Neal finished with 29 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots as the Pacers won their fourth straight game and their 11th in a row over the Heat.
Shaquille O’Neal, who injured his knee in an overtime loss at Chicago on Tuesday night, watched from the sideline.
Lakers 86, Blazers 83
Portland, Ore. — Kobe Bryant had 31 points, and Los Angeles held off a second-half Portland rally. Shareef Abdur-Rahim missed a three-point attempt at the final buzzer, giving the Lakers their third straight victory.
Warriors 101, Hawks 96
Oakland, Calif. — Jason Richardson scored 31 points, Derek Fisher added 20, and Golden State sent Atlanta to its 17th straight road loss. Troy Murphy had a season-high 20 rebounds for the Warriors after missing their final 10 games before the All-Star break because of a broken left thumb.
Sonics 103, Hornets 85
New Orleans — Rashard Lewis made six three-pointers and scored 26 points as Seattle beat New Orleans for the fourth straight time.
Bucks 100, Nets 81
Milwaukee — Desmond Mason scored 15 points, and ZaZa Pachulia tied his career high with 14 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.

