Cleveland's LeBron James scored 22 points and 11 assists in Wednesday's 98-87 win over the New Jersey Nets.
CLEVELAND – LeBron James sensed something special about this Cleveland team from the outset. He liked the talent, the chemistry, the vibe.
Months later, his instincts have proved to be correct.
These Cavaliers are like no others.
James scored 22 points with 11 assists and made all the right moves in the closing minutes as the Cavaliers set a franchise record with their 58th win – and 10th straight – by beating the New Jersey Nets 98-87 on Wednesday night.
“I could tell that we were going to be really good,” James said. “I knew we could make this into something special – and we’ve been able to do that.”
With 11 games left in the regular season, the Cavs already have surpassed the club mark of 57 wins shared by the 1988-89 and 1991-92 teams, when Brad Daugherty, Mark Price and Co. could beat anyone in the Eastern Conference except Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls.
Cleveland, which trailed 82-81 with less than four minutes left, also improved to an NBA-best 33-1 at home, 13-1 in March and 18-2 since the All-Star break. The Cavaliers, now five games ahead of Boston in the East, scored on their last 10 possessions and did not commit a turnover in the final 8:55.
James has been asked so many times about Cleveland’s run of records that he has begun to sound like a broken one.
“It seems like I’ve been saying the same speech a lot,” James said. “We should all be proud as a franchise. I have no problem answering the same question when we’re breaking records and setting records. It’s unbelievable what we’ve been able to do, but we have to continue.”
Vince Carter scored 20 and Jarvis Hayes 18 for the Nets, who are running out of time to make the playoffs.
Wizards 95, Bobcats 93: At Washington, Antawn Jamison scored 27 points, Nick Young had 23 and Washington held off Charlotte.
Spurs 102, Hawks 92: At Atlanta, Tony Parker scored 42 points and San Antonio, playing without Tim Duncan, ended Atlanta’s eight-game home winning streak.
Pacers 90, Heat 88: At Indianapolis, Danny Granger scored 28 points and Indiana won.
76ers 96, Timberwolves 88: At Philadelphia, Thaddeus Young scored 29 points and Andre Miller had 15 to lead Philadelphia past Minnesota.
Raptors 115, Bucks 106: At Toronto, Andrea Bargnani scored 23 points, and Chris Bosh and Jose Calderon had double-doubles to lead the Raptors.
Clippers 140, Knicks 135, OT: At New York, Mike Taylor more than doubled his career high with 35 points, Zach Randolph added 33 against his former team, and Clippers outlasted New York.
Nuggets 101, Hornets 88: At New Orleans, Carmelo Anthony scored 29 points and Denver won.
Magic 84, Celtics 82: At Orlando, Fla., Dwight Howard blocked a potential go-ahead layup by Boston’s Paul Pierce with 3.8 seconds left, and Orlando clinched its second straight Southeast Division title.
Mavericks 128, Warriors 106: At Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki and ex-Arizona Wildcat Jason Terry were a combined 15 of 18 in the first half, keeping Dallas well ahead once the game was just a few minutes old.