Spurs play like Spurs, beat the Cavs
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-05 19:58

Bruce Bowen is defensive about his job. Just ask LeBron James. Bowen, San Antonio's main defender against James, helped hold the Cleveland star to 10 points over the final three quarters in the Spurs' 102-76 home victory over the Cavaliers on Friday night.

"Night in and night out I look forward to playing the other team's top player," said Bowen, who had 12 points. "You have to pay attention to every detail when you are defending (James). ... He's going to get his shot. You just have to contest it."

James was coming off a 31-point performance in the Cavs' opening win over New Orleans. He had 20 on Friday night on 7-for-16 shooting. He went 0-for-3 on 3-pointers after making six against the Hornets.

"I was able to attack at times, draw the defense in and kick it out — sometimes we made the shots, sometimes we didn't," James said. "We try to do the exact same things they try to do, only they do it about five times better right now."

In other NBA games Friday night, it was: New Jersey 102, Toronto 92; Memphis 94, Orlando 85; Charlotte 110, Philadelphia 93; Detroit 82, Boston 81; Washington 76, New York 75; Denver 107, Portland 68; Utah 91, Golden State 85; Seattle 107, Minnesota 102 in overtime; and the Los Angeles Clippers 92, Atlanta 77.

Bowen hit two 3-pointers and Tim Duncan (21 points, 10 rebounds) added four baskets as San Antonio went on an 18-7 run to start the third quarter.

The Spurs limited Cleveland to four field goals in the quarter while extending their lead to as many as 21 points. After a 3-pointer by Larry Hughes and a jumper by James, the Cavs missed 13 of their next 14 shots.

"They let you stick around a little, think you can run with them, then they kick it up another notch," said first-year Cleveland coach Mike Brown, a former San Antonio assistant.

San Antonio shot 13-for-21 in the third quarter, including 4-for-6 on 3-pointers. The Spurs went 10-for-17 from 3-point range overall, and they outscored the Cavaliers 62-32 in the paint.

Cleveland scored 31 points in the second half on 10-for-43 shooting.

"First half, we kind of played terrible defense, gave them wide-open shots," said Tony Parker, who had 18 points and eight assists for the Spurs. "The second half, we matched their energy. Every time they tried to penetrate, everyone was in good position."

Drew Gooden scored 14 points for Cleveland and Hughes added 11.

Nets 102, Raptors 92

At Toronto, Richard Jefferson had 35 points and 11 rebounds and Vince Carter added 20 points for the Nets, who led by as many as 24 points.

Rookie Jose Calderon had 20 points and seven assists for the Raptors, who shot 40 percent.

Grizzlies 94, Magic 85

At Orlando, Fla., Eddie Jones had five 3-pointers and scored 25 points and Pau Gasol added 22 points for the Grizzlies.

Steve Francis had 22 points and Dwight Howard added 16 for the Magic, who have lost two games at home.

Bobcats 110, 76ers 93

At Philadelphia, Emeka Okafor had 24 points and 11 rebounds, and Brevin Knight added 14 points and 15 assists for Charlotte, which had a 48-38 rebound advantage.

Allen Iverson had 29 points and Chris Webber added 20 for the Sixers (0-3), who have lost two home games.

Pistons 82, Celtics 81

At Boston, Richard Hamilton hit a 20-foot jumper with no time remaining to give Detroit the victory. Hamilton led the Pistons with 26 points, while Chauncey Billups scored 16 and Rasheed Wallace added 15.

Paul Pierce scored 28 points for the Celtics and Mark Blount added 16 points and nine rebounds. Blount's foul line jumper with 0.8 seconds left gave the Celtics an 81-80 lead.

Boston has lost seven of their last eight against the Pistons, dating to the start of the 2003-04 season.

Wizards 86, Knicks 75

At New York, Gilbert Arenas scored 27 points for Washington as the Wizards spoiled the first home game as Knicks coach for Larry Brown.

Antawn Jamison scored 11 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter for the Wizards (2-0). Stephon Marbury scored 19 points and Eddy Curry had 12 for the Knicks (0-2), who lost their fourth straight home opener.

Nuggets 107, Trail Blazers 68

At Denver, Marcus Camby had 23 points and 17 rebounds for the Nuggets, who welcomed back coach George Karl after a two-game suspension.

Carmelo Anthony had 14 points and Voshon Lenard came two assists shy of a triple-double, finishing with 17 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.

Darius Miles had 13 points for Portland, which didn't score in the final 4:38.

Jazz 91, Warriors 85

At Oakland, Calif., Mehmet Okur had 23 points and 14 rebounds and Matt Harpring added 15 points for the Jazz, who have two season-opening victories despite playing without forward Carlos Boozer, who's nursing a strained hamstring.

Jason Richardson and Derek Fisher each scored 18 points for the Warriors, who seemed a bit lost without starting point guard Baron Davis, who sat out to rest his strained hamstring.

SuperSonics 107, Timberwolves 102, OT

At Seattle, Ray Allen scored 11 of his 32 points in overtime for the SuperSonics, who went 33-for-36 from the free throw line. Allen was 7-for-24 from the field in regulation, but went 3-for-4 in overtime, including two 3-pointers, and scored all but two of Seattle's points in the extra five minutes.

Kevin Garnett led the Timberwolves with 23 points.

Clippers 92, Hawks 77

At Los Angeles, Cuttino Mobley scored 19 points and reserve James Singleton had 13 points and 13 rebounds as the Clippers won their home opener.

Salim Stoudamire had 15 points for Atlanta, which is off to an 0-2 start for the third consecutive season.