James scores 33 in Cavaliers’ win

CLEVELAND — LeBron James scored 33 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers held off a late Charlotte rally to defeat the Bobcats, 98-91.

Ben Wallace scored his only two baskets of the game, Delonte West added a jumper and James hit a bank shot in the lane in the final 2 minutes as the Cavaliers held on after nearly squandering an 11-point lead early in the fourth quarter.

Jason Richardson scored nine straight points, including two 3-pointers and a three-point play to spark Charlotte’s comeback. He led Charlotte with 33 points.

Richardson’s second 3-pointer in his spurt cut the lead to 92-91, but West hit a 12-footer with 52.7 seconds left. James guarded Richardson on the Bobcats’ next possession and forced him to the baseline. Richardson got to the basket, but Wallace blocked his shot.

James followed with his bank shot in the lane with 10.3 seconds left to put the game away.

Complete story appears in Monday’s edition.