By Chris Bernucca Nov 29, 2009, 5:14 GMT
Los Angeles - Mo Williams couldn't miss from three-point range. Anderson Varejao couldn't miss from anywhere.
Williams made 7-of-7 from long range and scored 25 points and Varejao was 7-of-7 from the field and added 15 as the hot-shooting Cleveland Cavaliers cooled off the Dallas Mavericks, 111-95, on Saturday night.
LeBron James had 25 points and 12 assists for the Cavaliers, who bounced back from Friday's disappointing loss to Charlotte. They shot 58 percent (45-of-78) from the field, including 9-of-13 from the arc.
'Last night, we didn't do a good job defensively,' Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said. 'We were kind of all over the map and it showed. Defensively, tonight we were a little better. Offensively, we moved the ball and knocked down open looks when we had them.'
German juggernaut Dirk Nowitzki scored 27 points for the shorthanded Mavericks, who had won five in a row but dropped their fourth straight meeting with the Cavaliers.
An All-Star last season, Williams had been slumping lately, making just 16-of-52 shots over a recent four-game stretch. But he snapped out of it with 22 points Friday and caught fire Saturday, tying a career high for three-pointers made.
'Mo is Mo. Nothing surprises me,' James said. 'Tonight was great though. To go 7-for-7 and not miss a three, that is awesome.'
A native of Brazil, Varejao is better known for his rebounding and defense. But had a season high in points and raised his shooting percentage above .600.
'I just tried to be aggressive and go to the basket, and run the pick-and-roll with LeBron and Mo,' said Varejao, who also had nine rebounds. 'This is why we're a good team. We have huge stars and good players coming off the bench.'
James provided an early spark with five points and two assists in a 13-4 burst that closed the first quarter and gave Cleveland a 35-26 lead.
Williams, who made two three-pointers in the opening period, added three more in the last five minutes of the second quarter to build the lead to 68-50.
'The last couple games, I think I was 2-for-15,' he said. '(Tonight) I made the first couple, it felt pretty good and I got some open looks.'
'It was probably as poor a defensive half as we've played all year,' Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. 'And you can't do that against a team that's this good in their home court.'
Varejao had four buckets in the third quarter, stemming a rally by Dallas and helping Cleveland take an 87-79 lead into the final period. Williams hit a three-pointer and Varejao had a layup and three-point play to rebuild the margin to 99-85 with 7:01 to go.
In addition to missing swingman Josh Howard, the Mavs were without centre Erick Dampier. They were forced to double-team 7-1, 335-pound centre Shaquille O'Neal, opening the floor for Williams and James.
'He's a big load down there, but he made the right pass out of the double team and Mo Williams was knocking down some shots,' Mavs forward Drew Gooden said.
Jason Terry scored 25 points for Dallas, which shot 47 percent (34-of-72) but managed a franchise-low 24 rebounds.
LA Lakers 130, Golden State 97=
Spanish star Pau Gasol had 22 points to lead seven players in double figures and grabbed 12 rebounds as the visiting Lakers scored a season high and rolled to their fifth straight victory.
Warriors guard Monta Ellis, who had averaged 37.3 points over his last three games, was held to 18 on 8-of-19 shooting.
Orlando 100, Milwaukee 98=
Rashard Lewis scored the go-ahead basket with 44 seconds left as the visiting Magic staged a big second-half rally for the second straight game and won for the seventh time in eight contests.
Dwight Howard had 25 points and 20 rebounds and Vince Carter scored 19 of his 25 points in the second half for the Magic. Turkey's Ersan Ilyasova had 20 points and 16 rebounds for the Bucks.
Charlotte 92, Washington 76=
Gerald Wallace had 14 points and 14 rebounds to lead a balanced attack as the visiting Bobcats never trailed in their fourth straight win. Gilbert Arenas was held to six points as the Wizards were limited to a season low.
Utah 108, Portland 92=
Carlos Boozer had 26 points and 12 rebounds and Deron Williams added 24 and 15 assists for the host Jazz, who have won five of six. Brandon Roy scored 19 points for the Trail Blazers, who have dropped two in a row.
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