Howard’s career night helps Magic sink Cavs

LeBron James’ triple-double wasn’t enough as Cleveland fell in overtime.

CLEVELAND (AP) — LeBron James heard the whistle and figured he was headed to the free throw line.

He got there. Just not to shoot.

Driving down the lane in the final seconds of overtime, James was tied up by Orlando’s Hedo Turkoglu for a game-ending jump ball as the Magic, paced by Dwight Howard’s 35 points and 16 rebounds, remained unbeaten on the road with a 117-116 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.

Howard, almost unstoppable near the basket, made two free throws with 5.8 seconds left in OT to put the Magic up by one. Following a timeout, James, who finished with 39 points, 14 assists and 13 rebounds, took the inbounds pass at the top of the key and quickly drove past Keith Bogans.

But as he approached the basket, James was wrapped up from the side by a helping Turkoglu, who had been called for a critical three-shot foul against James with 2.4 seconds left in regulation.

Orlando’s forward got his hands on the ball but also appeared to make contact with James’ forearms. Referee Leon Wood, though, signaled for a jump ball, and as Cleveland fans booed loudly, James walked around with a puzzled look on his face.

“I got there early enough to help Boges. I didn’t foul him — this time,” Turkoglu said, smiling.

James won the jump, but the ball was tipped out of bounds as the Magic improved to an NBA-best 5-0 on the road.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, James is the first player to record that many points, assists and rebounds in a game since Wilt Chamberlain in 1968. However, he would have gladly traded the rare triple-double for a win.

“I went into the lane and I got grabbed,” James said. “He had some of the ball, but he had part of my arm as well. Once I feel a little bit contact, I am trying to go up and get the shot off and hopefully they will call a foul. It didn’t go our way.”

Magic coach Stan Van Gundy was adamant that Turkoglu didn’t foul James.

“That’s a jump ball,” he said. “I didn’t see anything but Turk grab the ball. Turk got right there and got on the ball.”

Jameer Nelson had 21 points and 11 assists for the Magic, who last opened a season 7-2 in 1999.

Drew Gooden added 23 points and Zydrunas Ilgauskas 18 for Cleveland, which was playing its first game at home following a six-game road trip out West.