James' return helps Cleveland end losing streak
Updated: 2007-12-12 14:18
NEW YORK - LeBron James returned from injury to score 17 points and help the Cleveland Cavaliers end a six-game losing streak on Tuesday with a 118-105 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
 Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James (L) drives to the basket while defended by Indiana Pacers Danny Granger (33) during the first half of thier NBA basketball game in Cleveland, December 11, 2007. [Agencies] |
James, who played 22 minutes off the bench, missed five games with a sprained left index finger. Cleveland lost all five games.
"It felt like we were in a good groove," said James, who wore a protective glove. "Everyone knows each other. We know what we like and dislike, so it felt like it did last year when we were playing our best basketball."
Larry Hughes also came off the Cleveland bench in his second game back after injury and recorded a season-high 36 points, while Anderson Varejao made his season debut, also off the bench, after ending a contract holdout.
Mike Dunleavy led the Pacers with 23 points while Jermaine O'Neil had 18 and Troy Murphy posted 14 points and 12 rebounds.
*Toronto guard T.J. Ford scored 26 points in his side's 100-88 victory over Atlanta but was taken to hospital after being fouled by Atlanta rookie Al Horford.
Ford hit his head on the floor when fouled by Horford, which provoked an angry reaction from Toronto coach Sam Mitchell, and was carried off on a stretcher and later taken to hospital.
*The Los Angeles Clippers recorded their first win in New Jersey in almost 10 years by beating the Nets 91-82 in a battle of slumping teams.
The Clippers had lost eight of their last nine games while the Nets have now lost eight of their last nine home games.
*Caron Butler scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while Roger Mason Jr. scored 17 points as the Washington Wizards overcame Craig Smith's career-high 36 points to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 102-88.
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