LeBron scores 33 as Cavs win big in the Big Apple

ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — LeBron James scored 33 points in his only visit to Madison Square Garden this season, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 100-91 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday night.

One night after managing just 42 second-half points in an ugly home loss to Chicago, the Cavaliers rang up 40 in the first quarter, leaving New York fans with little left to do besides cheer for the Yankees in attendance and enjoy another mesmerizing performance by James.

He added nine assists and eight rebounds, but fell just shy of passing Kobe Bryant as the active scoring leader at the Garden. James improved his average to 30.4 points, with Bryant averaging 30.5 in 11 visits, according to STATS LLC

James had scored 50 or more in two of his last three visits, joining Michael Jordan as the only visiting players with multiple 50-point games at the current building.

Mo Williams scored 12 points for the Cavaliers, who have won six in a row against the Knicks and four straight at the Garden, where James loves to perform.

New Yorkers are desperate for him to make it his full-time home when he becomes a free agent next summer, but the Knicks continue to offer nothing on the court that would make him consider a switch. As it is, he has as many victories at MSG this season as the Knicks, who fell to 1-5 overall.

David Lee scored 21 points and former Cavs guard Larry Hughes had 18 for the Knicks, who played their first nationally televised home game since March 19, 2006, and showed they are still miles from being ready for prime time.

James shot 8 of 9 in the first period, with his second 3-pointer coming just before the buzzer to give him 19 points and make it 40-21.

Suns 110, Celtics 103: BOSTON — Jason Richardson bounced back from his worst game of the season to score 34 points with 10 rebounds, and Phoenix rebounded from its only defeat.

Magic 110, Pistons 103: ORLANDO, Fla. — Dwight Howard had 22 points and 12 rebounds to help the Orlando Magic hold off Charlie Villanueva and Detroit.

Bucks 87, Timberwolves 72: MINNEAPOLIS — Andrew Bogut bested Al Jefferson inside with 17 points and 10 rebounds, Luke Ridnour had 16 points off the bench and Milwaukee used a second-half surge to top Minnesota.

Heat 96, Nuggets 88: MIAMI — Dwyane Wade scored 22 points, Jermaine O’Neal added 18 and Miami dealt Denver its first loss of the season.

Pacers 102, Wizards 86: INDIANAPOLIS — Tyler Hansbrough scored 13 points in his pro debut.

76ers 97, Nets 94: PHILADELPHIA — Andre Iguodala scored 16 points, including a late 3-pointer to give Philadelphia the lead.

Raptors 107, Hornets 90: NEW ORLEANS — Chris Bosh scored 27 points and Toronto used a 27-4 run in the third quarter to take control.

Bobcats 103, Hawks 83: CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Raja Bell scored 24 points and the Charlotte Bobcats looked nothing like the NBA’s lowest scoring team against road-weary Atlanta.

Rockets 105, Thunder 94: HOUSTON — Trevor Ariza and Carl Landry scored 21 points apiece and Houston extended its winning streak over the Oklahoma City franchise to 11.