Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James, back, hugs teammate Drew Gooden (90) after they beat the Washington Wizards to advance. The Cavs won, 97-90, Monday in Washington to sweep the series and move to the second round.

Washington ? It’s sweeps week in the NBA. Even the Cleveland Cavaliers got in on the act.

The Cavaliers completed a playoff sweep for the first time in franchise history Monday night, beating the Washington Wizards, 97-90, with yet another unconvincing performance, doing just enough to beat a depleted team that nearly emptied its bench in the first half.

LeBron James labored through an 8-for-22 shooting night, but he made 14 of 17 free throws to finish with 31 points for the Cavaliers. He also had 11 rebounds and seven assists, including back-to-back assists to Zydrunas Ilgauskas in the decisive final minute.

Ilgauskas finished with 20 points and 19 rebounds, and he and Larry Hughes (19 points) scored 18 of Cleveland’s final 20.

The Cavaliers became the third Eastern Conference team in three days to finish a first-round sweep. Detroit dismissed Orlando on Saturday, and Chicago ended defending champion Miami’s season on Sunday.

The Cavaliers have won only six playoff series in their history, and this series was the first time the franchise has won consecutive road playoff games. The Southeast Division, meanwhile, went 0-12 in the playoffs.

“Last year, going into the playoffs, it was all about making the playoffs,” James said. “I hadn’t been there in my NBA career, and Z hadn’t been there since his rookie season, so that was our main focus, ‘Let’s make the playoffs, let’s make the playoffs.’ We’ve got bigger and better things now. It’s about winning (the) championship, and we’re one step closer.”

The Cavaliers beat the Wizards in the first round a year ago – winning three games by one point – but Washington had Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler, who both missed this year’s series with injuries. Washington had its season end with a playoff loss on its home court for the third straight year, but this one will be remembered with an asterisk because of the two missing All-Stars.

Once again, Antawn Jamison carried the Wizards, and once again his team came close to pulling the upset.

Washington trailed by one point with less than two minutes to play, but two doses of the James-to-Ilgauskas combination essentially settled the game. In between those two baskets, Jamison had the hard-luck moment of the series when he committed a turnover by dribbling the ball off his left foot.

Jamison finished with 31 points. Darius Songaila scored 12 of his 16 in the fourth quarter.

Rockets 96, Jazz 92

Houston – Tracy McGrady was hitting shots and giving out assists at a record pace. Yao Ming was grabbing rebounds and dominating inside.

A change of scenery was just what the All-Star duo and the rest of the Houston Rockets needed to regain control of their playoff series with Utah.

McGrady had 26 points and a career-high 16 assists, Yao had 21 points and 15 rebounds, and the Rockets beat the Jazz to take a 3-2 lead in their first-round series.

“It’s up to me to make my teammates better and to get them the open shots,” McGrady said. “If I penetrate and be aggressive and guys collapse on me, then those guys got to be confident enough to knock down shots on the perimeter.”

Yao sealed the victory with two free throws with 11 seconds left. His last rebound was in the closing seconds after Deron Williams missed a desperation three-pointer.

Spurs 96, Nuggets 89

Denver – Robert Horry did it again.

“Big Shot Rob” hit a three-pointer from the right corner with 30 seconds left to seal San Antonio’s 96-89 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night that gave the Spurs a 3-1 lead in the first-round series.

The Spurs can close out the best-of-seven series at home on Wednesday night.

The Nuggets, who blew a 10-point second-half lead, had pulled to 90-89 on Steve Blake’s jumper which looked like a 3 but his toe was on the line. Tony Parker of the Spurs took the inbounds pass following a timeout, penetrated the lane and kicked out to Horry all alone in the right corner.

Marcus Camby rushed to put a hand up but Horry’s rainbow shot swished to give the Spurs a 93-89 lead.

It was just the second basket of the night for Horry, who makes the most of his minutes. He also hit a big shot in the Spurs’ win in Game 3 at the Pepsi Center.

Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 22 points, although he was frustrated at not getting to the free throw line more than six times. Manu Ginobili added 18 points and Parker had 15.

Carmelo Anthony led the Nuggets with 29 points and Allen Iverson had 22, although he had another poor shooting performance – 9-for-25. Camby had 10 points and 17 rebounds, and Nene had 18 points.

But again, it wasn’t enough.