The Basketball Diaries

Cleveland Cavaliers 95 Chicago Bulls 86

The Bulls played like crap all day yesterday, yet somehow, with 9:55 left to play in the fourth quarter they still led 76-68. Then LeBron James came back in the game. LeBron led the Cavs on a 27-10 run to send the Bulls to yet another loss, finishing with 37 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. "I just live for the fourth quarter," James said. "When the games are close, that's when I like to do work. We were just able to take the life out of them." You assume they had life in them to begin with. Oh, and since I know you're wondering, Ben Wallace had 7 points and 8 boards, while Joe Smith had 8 and 6. I will say, that even though the Bulls lost, it was nice seeing Ben blow easy baskets for another team.

Los Angeles Lakers 108 Dallas Mavericks 104

Much like LeBron did against the Bulls, Kobe Bryant waited until it really counted before taking over the game against Dallas on Sunday. Kobe finished with 52 points, but 30 of them came in the 4th quarter and overtime. Pau Gasol also 17 points and 14 rebounds for the Lakers. Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavs with 30 points and 13 rebounds, including a three-pointer with 2 seconds left in the 4th quarter that sent the game into overtime. Unfortunately for Dallas, it just wasn't enough.

San Antonio Spurs 93 New Jersey Nets 83

Don't look now, but the Spurs have won 9 in a row. Tony Parker had 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists to lead San Antonio, including a couple of key baskets late to help the Spurs overcome a deficit. "He finishes games nicely, making shots in the fourth quarter that he's not making in the first half," said Nets point guard Devin Harris. "That's what makes him so tough. You've got to remember that he was an NBA Finals MVP and he knows how to finish." Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili aren't half bad either, as Duncan finished with 13 points and 14 rebounds, and Manu had 17 points.

Elsewhere...

• Celtics 98 Hawks 88
• Pacers 128 Hawks 106
• Wizards 101 Hornets 84
• Bobcats 110 Raptors 98
• Sonics 111 TWolves 108 OT
• Rockets 103 Nuggets 89
• Warriors 110 Blazers 104
• Kings 120 Heat 109