LeBron’s triple-double leads Cavs past Nets

Cleveland, OH (Basketball News) - LeBron James posted his third triple-double of the season with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the New Jersey Nets, 91-85, at Quicken Loans Arena.

Drew Gooden added 18 points and six rebounds while Aleksandar Pavlovic contributed 14 points, including seven in the final three minutes, for Cleveland, which extended its winning streak to seven games.

The victory snapped New Jersey’s five-game winning streak against Cleveland.

Vince Carter scored a game-high 29 points and Richard Jefferson donated 19 points in the loss. Jason Kidd added 14 points and Nenad Krstic netted 12 for New Jersey, which has lost nine of its last 13 contests.

New Jersey seemed to have Cleveland what where it wanted it after three stanzas as the game was tied at 62-62. The Nets were 22-0 when tied or leading after three quarters.

However, Cleveland recorded the first eight points of the final period to take a lead it would not relinquish. Two James’ layups sandwiched around Damon Jones’ trey highlighted the stretch capped by a James free throw.

New Jersey cut the deficit to 76-73 on Jefferson’s two free throws with 6:36 left. Then about 1 1/2 minutes later, Carter drained two free throws to make it a one-point contest.

James answered with a three-point play to give the Cavs some breathing room, then just over a minute later Pavlovic buried a huge three-pointer to extend Cleveland’s lead to 83-76 with 2:57 left.

Pavlovic hit a jumper with 2:02 on the clock to open a 85-78 lead and the Cavaliers made their free throws down the stretch to capture the victory.

Neither team held a double-digit lead during the contest and both squads struggled from the floor in the first half. Cleveland held a 17-15 lead after one stanza, and New Jersey took a slim 35-34 lead to the locker room.

Game Notes

Cleveland improved to 17-5 at home...New Jersey fell to 10-15 on the road...The home team has won 12 of the last 15 meetings...The loss snapped New Jersey’s two-game winning streak in Cleveland...Cleveland held a 51-33 edge on the glass...The Cavs made 23-of-29 from the foul line, while the Nets made 21- of-28...Cleveland guard Ira Newble did not play (facial abscess) and will not travel with the club to Miami on Thursday night.