AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — LeBron James was a cheerleader when the Cleveland Cavaliers took over against the Detroit Pistons.

Then, the superstar finished them off.

James scored 33 points and got some timely help from Mo Williams and Daniel Gibson in Cleveland's 90-80 win over the Detroit Pistons yesterday.

"It's been different this season because we have guys who can control the offense and control the defense," James said. "There's not been a time this season when I felt pressure to not come off the floor.

"I know these guys can take care of things."

With James resting, Williams and Gibson outscored Detroit by themselves in a 15-2 run to take a 73-68 lead early in the fourth quarter.

James shouted, "C'mon, Mo! C'mon Mo!" from the scorer's table during the final possession of the winning surge, then celebrated with Williams after his jumper led to Detroit calling a timeout.

James sealed the win on a driving layup, an assist, 3-pointer and free throw to put the Cavs ahead by nine with 2 1/2 minutes left.

The Central Division-leading Cavs have won six of their last seven and are 12 games ahead of Detroit. They had lost four straight at The Palace in the regular season.

MAGIC 113, RAPTORS 90

TORONTO — Dwight Howard had 29 points and 14 rebounds, and Jameer Nelson added 18 points and 10 assists as Orlando beat Toronto. Mickael Pietrus scored 22 points and Rashard Lewis had 15 for the Magic, who led by as many as 24 and have won three straight following back-to-back losses to Boston and Miami.

CELTICS 109, TIMBERWOLVES 101

BOSTON — Paul Pierce had 36 points, eight rebounds and six assists, and Ray Allen scored 22 as Boston won its 11th straight game. Al Jefferson, the centerpiece of the trade that brought Kevin Garnett to Boston and set the stage for the franchise's 17th NBA title, scored 34 points for the Timberwolves. Jefferson also had 11 rebounds for his 26th double-double of the season.

KINGS 122, THUNDER 118

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Kevin Martin scored 37 points as Sacramento ended an eight-game losing streak. Bobby Jackson had six of his 11 points in overtime. The veteran guard put Sacramento ahead for good with a floater in the lane and followed with a jumper to make it 120-116 with 1:42 left.

ELSEWHERE

Celtics: Kendrick Perkins was fined $10,000 by the NBA for a flagrant foul on Detroit's Jason Maxiell that led to the Boston forward's ejection Friday night. Perkins said yesterday he would not appeal.