Cleveland Cavaliers Team Report - December 23

(Basketball News) - The Cavaliers dropped a disappointing 92-90 decision to the New Jersey Nets at Continental Airlines Arena on Wednesday night. New Jersey’s Richard Jefferson somehow broke free for the game-winning alley-oop with less than a second left.

LeBron James delivered 23 points, nine assists and nine rebounds for the Cavaliers, who have lost five of their last eight games. Jeff McInnis posted 17 points. Drew Gooden and Ira Newble both chipped in with 14 points.

New Jersey led 90-87 with 1:20 to go in the fourth quarter after four straight points by Jefferson. But James forced a 90-90 tie with 46.3 seconds to go with a dunk and a foul shot.

James then missed a shot with 1.5 seconds left before New Jersey clinched the win. Jabari Smith inbounded the ball to Jefferson, who was in the lane and dropped the ball through the net.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas registered eight points and eight rebounds for Cleveland, which has lost four of its last five on the road.

Cleveland, which remains atop the Central Division (15-11) by two games over Detroit and Indiana, has the next three days off. On Sunday, the Cavs host the New Orleans Hornets.