LeBron, Shaq magic

LeBron James scored 36 points, Shaquille O'Neal provided an inside presence and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the host Orlando Magic 102-93 on Wednesday night in a rematch of the Eastern Conference finals.

Only this one had a different look.

O'Neal battled boos and bruises to score 10 points and keep Dwight Howard in foul trouble for most of the night, giving James and Co. all the inside strength they sorely lacked last season. Mo Williams added 28 points to help the Cavs take a 15-point halftime lead, go ahead by 20 after three quarters and roll to an easy victory.

Vince Carter had 29 points and Howard had only 11 for the Magic. Orlando was without suspended All-Star forward Rashard Lewis.

Also Wednesday

Pistons 98, Bobcats 75: Charlie Villanueva had a season-high 30 points for host Detroit, outscoring Charlotte 18-12 by himself in the third quarter.

Gerald Wallace had 12 points for the Bobcats.

Celtics 105, Jazz 86: Rajon Rondo had 14 points and 11 assists to help host Boston improve to 8-1, matching the start from its title-winning season two years ago.

Kevin Garnett scored 18 points, Paul Pierce had 13 and Ray Allen 15 for the Celtics. Boston has won two in a row since its only loss, to Phoenix on Friday.

Hawks 114, Knicks 101: Al Horford scored a season-high 25 points and had nine rebounds, and Atlanta overcame a 14-point deficit to send host New York to its fifth straight loss.

The Knicks (1-8) are off to their worst start since also losing eight of nine to open the 2002-03 season.

76ers 82, Nets 79: Marreese Speights had a go-ahead three-point play with 1:10 to play, and Philadelphia extended host New Jersey's franchise-worst start to 0-8.

Trail Blazers 107, Timberwolves 84: Greg Oden Oden had 18 points and 11 rebounds in three quarters, and Rudy Fernandez added 15 points for visiting Portland.

Pacers 108, Warriors 94: Danny Granger scored 31 points and had a career-high 16 to lead host Indiana to its third straight victory.

Raptors 99, Bulls 89: Chris Bosh had 28 points and 11 rebounds, and Jose Calderon scored 18 points to help host Toronto even its record at 4-4.

Bucks 108, Nuggets 102: Rookie Brandon Jennings scored 14 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter for host Milwaukee.

Late Tuesday

Kings 101, Thunder 98: Jason Thompson had 21 points and 14 rebounds to help host Sacramento to its first three-game winning streak in over a year.

Note

Wade to debut Air Jordan 2010s: Dwyane Wade pleaded for years to join the Jordan Brand family, wanting to wear the shoe his idol made famous.

His persistence is being rewarded.

When Jordan Brand makes its long-awaited release of the Air Jordan 2010 in February to commemorate the popular line's 25th anniversary, Wade will debut the shoe. Hand-picked for the role by Michael Jordan himself, the Miami Heat guard called it "a huge honor."

"I was in awe, because I know what it means to not only be a part of Jordan Brand but really represent Michael on the court in the shoe he would wear," Wade said. "Very excited, to say the least."

The shoe will be launched nationwide Feb. 13 and will carry a retail price of $170.

Latest Comment View all comments