honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, January 16, 2006

Blazers get best of Cavs, 89-87

Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. — After Ruben Patterson made sure LeBron James didn't beat the Portland Trail Blazers, he took a bit of good-natured ribbing from teammate Zach Randolph.

Randolph serenaded Patterson in the locker room: "If Ruben can't do it, nobody can!"

Patterson and Randolph each had 16 points and seven rebounds, and the Trail Blazers edged the Cleveland Cavaliers, 89-87, last night.

LeBron James had 29 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists for the Cavaliers, who lost their fourth straight. James had just seven points in the second half, with Patterson leading the way on defense.

"Ruben came in and gave us big energy," Blazers coach Nate McMillan said. "He wore LeBron down."

The Blazers, who have won three straight for just the second time this season, led by as many as 11 points in the second half, but the Cavaliers cut their deficit to 83-81 on Alan Henderson's layup.

James followed with a 3-pointer to give Cleveland an 84-83 lead with 3:10 to go.

Juan Dixon answered with a 3 to put Portland back in front before Cleveland's Zydrunas Ilgauskas tied it with a jumper. With 47.7 seconds left, Henderson fouled Randolph, who made both his shots to give the Blazers an 88-86 lead.

Eric Snow missed one of two free throws to make it 88-87 with 37.1 seconds to go. After both sides missed long jumpers, Ilgauskas fouled out and Patterson made just one of his foul shots.

James took the ball down the court, and Snow was off with his long jumper as time wound down.

"I just didn't make the shots I wanted to in the second half," James said.

RAPTORS 129, KNICKS 103

TORONTO — Jalen Rose had a season-high 31 points and Toronto reached a franchise-high in points, ending New York's six-game winning streak.

KINGS 104, MAGIC 100

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Mike Bibby finished with a career-high 42 points, including two clinching free throws with 0.4 seconds left, and Sacramento held off Orlando.