Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scoreboard - Live Odds - Sporting Events - Live Lines

Final Score: Cleveland 118 - Charlotte 114

Charlotte, NC (Sports Network) - LeBron James scored 29 points to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 118-114 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats.

Devin Brown poured in 20 points, including some clutch free throws down the stretch, and handed out eight assists for Cleveland, which has won two in a row and sits five games behind idle Orlando for the third spot in the Eastern Conference. Anderson Varejao tallied 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 16 and had 12 boards. Joe Smith had 13 points in the victory.

Emeka Okafor tied a season-high with 25 points for the Bobcats, who have dropped two in a row. Jason Richardson chipped in 31 points and seven helpers, while Gerald Wallace dropped 21 points.

A Brown free throw and a Wally Szczerbiak jumper put Cleveland ahead 107-103 with about three minutes left in regulation.

Richardson briefly interjected with a free throw for Charlotte, though, Brown added another free throw and Ilgauskas connected on a long jumper for a 111-104 Cavs advantage.

A couple of Richardson threes made it interesting, 116-114, just inside the 30-second mark, but Brown was fouled on the Cavs' next possession and hit both shots to all but put it away.

"We got the win, that's all that matters," James said.

The Bobcats built a 34-25 lead after 12 minutes.

The Cavs clawed their way back and closed to within 62-58 at the half.

A Varejao dunk sparked a 6-0 Cleveland run. James accounted for the other four points via the foul line, which put the Cavs up 71-68 with 7 1/2 minutes left in the third frame.

Moments later, five points from Brown and a James dunk put the Cavs on top 82-72.

The Bobcats battled back and a Matt Carroll three-pointer as time expired brought Charlotte within three, 92-89, heading into the final stanza.

Back-to-back Szczerbiak jumpers gave the Cavs a 101-95 lead with 7:26 left in the game. However, Okafor answered with a pair of dunks and a Richardson jumper tied the game at 101.

"It was another one of those games that we played hard and well enough to win, but we didn't get the win," Charlotte head coach Sam Vincent said. "It's a disappointing loss for us."