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LeBron outduels Yao to lift Cavaliers

(AFP)
Updated: 2006-03-27 09:23

HOUSTON, United States (AFP) - LeBron James scored 36 points and reserve Damon Jones added a season-high 22 as the Cleveland Cavaliers edged Houston 104-102, beating Yao Ming's club for the first time.

Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James, right, goes up for a shot as' Houston Rockets' Yao Ming, left, of China, defends during the fourth quarter of their NBA basketball game Sunday, March 26, 2006 in Houston. [AP]

James had been winless against the Rockets and the Chinese star center in his three National Basketball Association seasons but the Cavaliers won their fifth in a row and moved two wins shy of their first playoff berth since 1998.

Yao scored a team-high 27 points for Houston but rival big man Zydrunas Ilgauskas of Lithuania scored five of his 21 points in over-time for Cleveland, which improved to 5-0 in games decided in over-time.

Jones made all seven of his shots in regulation, but the Cavaliers turned to "King James" with the game on the line.

The fourth quarter featured 12 lead changes, the last on rookie Luther Head's short shot to give the Rockets an 89-88 edge with 34 seconds to play.

Yao blocked Ronald Murray's layup bid and Juwan Howard hit a pair of free throws to build a three-point edge with 25 seconds remaining in regulation.

But James drove for a layup and was fouled by Yao, hitting the free throw to level the score. On the final possession, James swiped the ball from Yao to deny a last shot and force over-time.

Iglauskas and Yao opened with four points each before James gave Cleveland the lead for good, 97-95, with a dunk over Howard with 3:25 to play.

James scored on a drive to the basket to give Cleveland a 103-99 edge. Yao followed with a basket and the Rockets had a chance to level after Jones missed 1-of-2 free throws.

But Cleveland intentionally fouled Houston's Rafer Alston with less than a second remaining. Alston was forced to intentionally miss the second free throw and Cleveland tipped the rebound out of bounds as time expired.