Cavs halt six-game slide
Back in lineup, Gooden scores 23
Cleveland ? All that was missing was Beyonce, a few video monitors and a pair of turntables.
The postgame scene in Cleveland’s crowded locker room Tuesday night was much more MTV than NBA.
R&B superstar Usher, mega-hit producer/rapper Jermaine Dupri, new Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert and others mingled with players as television camera crews captured every moment for posterity. There was reason to celebrate: The Cavaliers had won again.
LeBron James scored 23 points, and Drew Gooden had 23 in his return to Cleveland’s starting lineup as the Cavaliers snapped a six-game losing streak with a 111-92 victory over the Orlando Magic.
Cheered on by minority owner Usher, who grabbed a microphone and boldly guaranteed a victory in the second quarter, the Cavaliers won for the first time since Feb. 23. But it had seemed much longer ago as Cleveland’s longest losing skid this season had dropped the club back in the Eastern Conference standings.
“We needed this win,” James said. “Everybody stepped up. We were slipping back, and it had to stop.”
Gooden finished 10-of-13 from the field and added five rebounds and five assists.
Gooden’s inconsistency had prompted Cavs coach Paul Silas to replace him for two games as a starter by Robert Traylor. The benching seemed to awaken Gooden, who had one of his best all-around games this season against the team that traded him last summer.
“He woke up,” Silas said. “I’ve been waiting for him to play like that. I liked his whole approach. When we needed big hoops, he provided them. He rebounded and defended.”
Kings 85, Grizzlies 82
Sacramento, Calif. — Mike Bibby’s long three-pointer as time expired was upheld on a controversial video review, and Sacramento beat Memphis. Peja Stojakovic’s inbounds pass with 1.4 seconds left was tipped by James Posey, but the clock didn’t start until Bibby grabbed the ball, turned and hit a three-pointer from several feet behind the line.
Pacers 89, Jazz 83
Salt Lake City — Stephen Jackson scored 30 points, and Indiana rallied after blowing a 25-point lead. Reggie Miller finished with 24 points in his final game at Utah.
Spurs 90, Nets 74
San Antonio — Tim Duncan made a quick return to the Spurs lineup after leaving his last game because of an injury, and had 19 points and eight rebounds.
Bucks 105, Hawks 101
Milwaukee — Mo Williams had 22 points and 10 assists, and Desmond Mason also scored 22 points to lead Milwaukee. Tyronn Lue had a season-high 27 points for Atlanta, losers of 22 straight road games.
Rockets 97, Sonics 95
Seattle — Tracy McGrady had 35 points, and Yao Ming added 16 of his 22 points in the second half, leading Houston. Houston outscored the Sonics 22-6 in the third period — with those six points setting franchise records for both teams.
Clippers 110, Lakers 101
Los Angeles — Corey Maggette scored 30 points, Elton Brand had 22 points and 15 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Los Angeles Lakers despite Kobe Bryant’s 41 points.
Timberwolves 102, Bobcats 97
Minneapolis — Kevin Garnett scored 22 of his 30 points in the second half, carrying Minnesota. Behind a dominating third-quarter effort by Garnett, who also had 15 rebounds and four blocks, the Timberwolves won their third in a row.
Warriors 104, 76ers 85
Philadelphia — Jason Richardson scored 22 points, and Mike Dunleavy added 21 to lead Golden State to just its eighth road victory of the season.
Knicks 93, Wizards 83
New York — Improving to 5-1 since the trade deadline, New York received 19 points from Jamal Crawford to defeat Washington.