After playing the 8-2 Cavs to a standstill during the first half, the Nets went into sleep mode in the second half, scoring only 30 points to Cleveland's 57 and turning a close game into a 24-point rout. The Nets once again failed to guard the perimeter--they're last in the league in perimeter defense--and the Cavs took advantage, hitting 10 of 17. The beginning of the third quarter spelled the Nets' demise. Mo Williams tied the game with a 3-pointer off an assist by Lebron James. Then, Delonte West put Cleveland ahead with a 3-pointer and Williams once again nailed a 3-pointer off another James assist. West, who hit all four of his three point attempts, then capped the 12-0 spurt, hitting another 3-pointer off a Williams' assist. James had a typically dominant game, scoring 31 points, and adding eight rebounds, four assists and a remarkable block on Devin Harris. For the Nets, Harris had 23, but only four in the second half and Vince Carter had perhaps his worst game of the season, fouling out after scoring 12 points on 3-of-12 scoring. The Nets' only bright spot was Brook Lopez who had his first career double-double, with 15 points and 13 rebounds. As a starter, Lopez is now averaging 15 points and 9.7 rebounds. The Nets--and 28 other NBA teams--got some good news from James who said winning is paramount to him, not location. "I think you do what is best for you and you do what is best for your career,'' said James.
- Boxscore - NBA.com
- LeBron James scores 31 in showcase win over Nets - Tom Canavan - AP
- Game Highlights: Cavaliers 106, Nets 82 - NBA.com
- Cavaliers Rout Nets as James Scores 31 - Jonathan Abrams - New York Times
- Cavs Come Alive from Three in the Third - Ben Couch - New Jersey Nets
- Cavaliers pummel Nets, 106-82 - Dave D'Alessandro - Star-Ledger
- Photo Gallery: Cavaliers 106, Nets 82 - Noah K. Murray - Star-Ledger
- Vince Carter Press Conference (video) - YES Network
- Lawrence Frank Press Conference (video) - YES Network
- From the Booth (video) - Marv Albert & Mike Fratello - YES Network
- Energy again a factor in Nets' loss - Al Iannazzone - YES Network
- LeBron James, Delonte West lead Cavs to eighth straight win, defeating Nets 106-82 - Mary Schmitt Boyer - Cleveland Plain-Dealer
- Red-hot Cavaliers scorch the Nets - George M. Thomas - Akron Beacon-Journal
- LeBron doesn't need ball to score big for Cavs - Rob Peterson - NBA.com
- Harris, Nets can't crash Cavs' party - John Schuhmann - NBA.com
- King James has romp in the swamp - Fred Kerber - New York Post
- LeBron James, Cavs breeze past Nets - Julian Garcia - New York Daily News
- James' gang shoots down Nets - Al Iannazzone - The Record
- Nets Notes - Al Iannazzone - The Record