Cleveland ? Stephon Marbury couldn’t get over the sight of himself wearing the jersey of his hometown New York Knicks. He would have looked better in it if the result had been different.

LeBron James’ 10 assists and Zydrunas Ilgauskas’ 24 points led the Cleveland Cavaliers over the new-look Knicks, 107-96, Tuesday night.

Marbury, traded from Phoenix to New York along with Penny Hardaway a day earlier, had just eight points and eight assists after being cleared to play 30 minutes before tipoff.

The Brooklyn, N.Y., native was emotional after the game in describing what it felt like to don his new uniform.

“I touched it and felt the number. It’s a beautiful jersey,” Marbury said. “I like everything about this team. We have so many guys who can play.”

James had 14 points on a poor shooting night, but his assists tied his career high. Eric Williams hit baskets at several key points and finished with a season-high 22.

“He’s the best rookie ever,” Marbury said of James. “I can’t describe it any more than that — he’s that good.”

For much of the game, New York resembled a team that hadn’t practiced together.

Marbury and Hardaway were forced to sit out the morning shootaround because the players traded to Phoenix hadn’t completed their physical exams. They received clearance from the league office just before tipoff.

“We kind of didn’t know whether we were going to play or not, so we couldn’t get into a routine. It was last-minute. That’s tough,” Marbury said.

Cleveland's LeBron James (23) chases the ball in front of New York's Stephon Marbury. The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks, 107-96, Tuesday night in Cleveland.

Hardaway shot 3-for-9 for six points. Keith Van Horn led New York with 20 points and Allan Houston had 18.

“I didn’t really play like I normally do because I was so excited,” Marbury said. “I was trying to learn the guys — that will come.”

Cleveland trailed by as many as nine in the first half, but went on a 23-3 run to take a 56-45 halftime lead. New York didn’t make a field goal over the last 6:57 of the second quarter.

New York tried to make a run after trailing by 17 with under 11 minutes left, but it was too late.

The Knicks shot just 41 percent, left the Cavaliers wide open for jump shots and committed costly fouls.

T’wolves 106, Lakers 90

Minneapolis — Latrell Sprewell scored 30 points while keeping Kobe Bryant in check, and Minnesota defeated Los Angeles. Shaquille O’Neal sat out his second straight game because of a strained right calf, and the Lakers have been missing Karl Malone for more than two weeks because of a sprained right knee.

They were sorely missed. Los Angeles lost for the seventh time in 10 games, and Bryant only had six of his 20 points in the second half.

Rookie Brian Cook had his best game as a pro (16 points in 30 minutes) and Kareem Rush added 16 points.

Kings 105, Hawks 89

Sacramento, Calif. — Peja Stojakovic scored 28 points and Brad Miller had 20 points and 10 rebounds in Sacramento’s fourth straight victory. Mike Bibby had 19 points and six assists for the Kings, who improved the NBA’s best record to 24-8 with their 26th consecutive home win over Eastern Conference teams. Sacramento increased its Pacific Division lead over the Lakers to a season-high 21/2 games after Los Angeles’ loss at Minnesota.

Pacers 114, Magic 107

Indianapolis — Jermaine O’Neal had 25 points, nine rebounds and four blocks to help Indiana overcome a 43-point performance by Tracy McGrady. McGrady made eight three-pointers and shot 14-of-27, but he didn’t have the support O’Neal had for Indiana. O’Neal was one of six Pacers in double figures as they won their sixth in a row. The 114 points were a season high for the Pacers.

Spurs 94, Wizards 72

San Antonio — San Antonio outshot an opponent from the free-throw line for the first time 13 games, getting 16 points apiece from Tim Duncan and Tony Parker in a victory over Washington. The win was the Spurs’ 15th in the past 16 games, while the Wizards lost for the 13th time in their past 16.

Nets 92, Clippers 75

East Rutherford, N.J. — A blowout victory for the New Jersey Nets was marred by a blowup between Kenyon Martin and Corey Maggette. Jason Kidd had his second straight 30-plus point game and Nets held the Los Angeles Clippers to a season-low 28 first-half points in a 92-75 win. Martin and Maggette were ejected after exchanging punches in the third quarter, and both face automatic suspensions. The players fought with 7:08 left in the third quarter after Martin committed a hard foul on Maggette on a drive to the basket.