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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Williams provides spark as Cavs top Mavs, 100-81

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Mo Williams

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DALLAS — How's this for a stretch of possessions to open the fourth quarter of a close game? Long jump shot, longer jump shot. Feed a teammate for a layup, then swish another jumper. Get another assist, then nail a 3-pointer from so deep that your defender walks away saying, "Whooo."

One of the Cleveland Cavaliers did exactly that last night — and it wasn't LeBron James.

With James watching from the bench, Mo Williams powered that 13-0 run, sending the Cavaliers well on their way to a 100-81 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

"That's what they expect," said Williams, acquired in August to ease the load off James. "Tonight was a great sign."

James still made his share of plays, including a key stretch in the third quarter after Dallas wiped out a 16-point deficit and tied the game at 63.

When Daniel Gibson missed a shot from the corner, James zoomed in, grabbed the rebound and banked it in, all in one motion. He followed with a three-point play and a pair of free throws. The Cavs ended the quarter up by six, then Williams put away the game, giving Cleveland its first road win after two losses.

"It's a nice win, a good way to close out the road trip," said James, who finished with a season-high 29 points despite shooting only 8 of 20. He also had a season-low three assists; he came in averaging 9.3.

"It's all about defense," he added. "We took a stand. When they tied it up, we buckled down and worked defensively. Then we made some shots. I didn't shoot the ball particularly well, like I know I can. I was in attack mode all night, but I missed some shots I know I can make."

Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki used almost the same words to describe his poor shooting.

After making his first shot, putting the Mavericks up 2-0, he missed his next seven tries. He didn't have another basket until late in the third quarter, and Dallas never led again.

Nowitzki finished with eight points on 3-of-11 shooting.

"It just wasn't one of my nights," Nowitzki said. "We just never really got going. We looked slow, we looked sluggish."

PISTONS 101, BOBCATS 83

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Richard Hamilton scored 19 points as Detroit beat Charlotte. Playing short-handed hours after acquiring Allen Iverson in a blockbuster deal with Denver, the balanced Pistons toyed with former coach Larry Brown's new team, improving to 3-0.

Rasheed Wallace added 15 points and four other players scored in double figures. Rodney Stuckey replaced the departed Chauncey Billups and had nine points and three assists filling in at the point for Detroit, which shot 50 percent.

JAZZ 89, CLIPPERS 73

LOS ANGELES — Paul Millsap scored 15 of his 24 points during a decisive 17-3 run in the fourth quarter, and unbeaten Utah beat winless Los Angeles. A 3-pointer by Cuttino Mobley trimmed Utah's lead to 67-64 before Millsap began his tear by making a pair of foul shots with 8:47 remaining. He finished it with a dunk with 4:37 left, giving the Jazz an 84-67 advantage.

Mehmet Okur scored 16 points, Andrei Kirilenko had 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Carlos Boozer added 13 points and eight rebounds for the Jazz (3-0).

76ERS 125, KINGS 91

PHILADELPHIA — Thaddeus Young scored 18 points and Lou Williams had 17 as Philadelphia routed winless Sacramento. Willie Green scored 16 points and Elton Brand had 15 for the Sixers, who were up 20 points at halftime and were able to stretch the lead in the second half instead of blowing it like they did Saturday at Atlanta.

Jason Thompson scored 17 points and Spencer Hawes had 15 for the Kings (0-4).

MAGIC 96, BULLS 93

ORLANDO, Fla. — Dwight Howard had 22 points and 15 rebounds, and Orlando held off Chicago after Andres Nocioni's missed 3-pointer at the buzzer. Rashard Lewis finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds as the Magic wiped out an early nine-point Bulls lead and led by as many as 17.

Drew Gooden led Chicago with 21 points. Nocioni added 20 and Ben Gordon 17.

GRIZZLIES 90, WARRIORS 79

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Marc Gasol had 27 points and 16 rebounds to help Memphis beat Golden State. Gasol went 9 for 11 from the field and the free-throw line for Memphis, which ended a seven-game skid in the series against Golden State. The rookie also blocked three shots.

Andris Biedrins had 16 points and 22 rebounds for Golden State. Stephen Jackson finished with 17 points and Corey Maggette had 13 despite sitting out the second quarter with an injury.

ELSEWHERE

Pistons: A basketball official says Detroit has agreed to a three-year contract extension with Richard Hamilton. The official, who spoke last night to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced, said two years of the contract are guaranteed and the third is partially guaranteed. Hamilton's current $62 million, seven-year contract was signed five years ago.

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