Cavs continue homestand against Knicks

James had 31 points on Wednesday in Cleveland’s 98-90 loss to Dallas. He had just eight points, though, before the half and suffered through a scary moment early in the second when he fell to the ground after defending Dallas’ Josh Howard and hit the back of his head hard on the floor. He remained on the court for a few minutes, but remained in the game.

Drew Gooden had 19 points and Sasha Pavlovic 16 for Cleveland, which plays the middle set of a three-game homestand tonight and is 26-9 as the host this season, having won six of its last seven at Quicken Loans Arena.

Cleveland has lost two in a row on the heels of an eight-game winning streak and is 2 1/2 games behind Detroit for the lead in both the Eastern Conference and Central Division.

The Knicks, meanwhile, have done little to help their playoff chances as of late, having dropped four of their last five including Thursday’s 92-86 setback to Portland.

Nate Robinson scored a season-high 31 points, finishing 8-for-9 from beyond the arc, and Stephon Marbury added 17 points for New York, which is half-game back of Orlando and Indiana in the East. The Magic and Pacers are tied for the final playoff spot in the conference.

David Lee has missed New York’s last 11 games because of a right leg injury and grabbed five boards, but the club is still without guard Quentin Richardson, who did not play against Portland and is doubtful for tonight’s game due to a sore lower back.

New York is 12-21 on the road this season and plays its next two games at home, beginning with a tilt against Orlando on Monday.

This is the third of four meetings between New York and Cleveland this season. The clubs have split their two matchups so far, with each team winning on the road. New York has won five of the last seven meetings overall, and three of four in Cleveland.