Cavs, King James Top Mavs

LeBron James' 24 points and eight rebounds propelled the Cavaliers past the Mavericks 88-81 last night, the AP reports. James put the game away with a definitive dunk with little more than a minute to play, despite repeated physical punishment, salvaging a dismal offensive effort from the Cavaliers. Dallas, however, was even sloppier offensively, shooting only 36.5 percent.

Dirk Nowitzki posted 19 points and 20 rebounds, and teammate Josh Howard also had 19 for the Mavericks. No other Dallas player broke double digits, as the team lost its second straight after a five-game winning streak. the win was Cleveland's second consecutive, and compensation for a dismal loss to the Mavs in the season opener. (More NBA stories.)