Cavaliers defeat Hornets 100-91
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-12-27 11:01

Jeff McInnis scored six points in a 47-second span late in the fourth quarter to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 100-91 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Sunday night.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James finishes off a dunk as New Orleans Hornets forward Matt Freiji looks on in the first quarter at Gund Arena, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2004. [AP]

LeBron James came within one rebound of his first career triple-double with 22 points and a season-high 14 assists for the Cavaliers, who handed the Hornets their 12th consecutive road loss.

Drew Gooden had 18 points and 18 rebounds, while McInnis finished with 16 points and 10 assists for Cleveland, which improved to 11-2 at home.

Lee Nailon scored 18 points against his former team to lead New Orleans.

McInnis' three-point play with 2:16 left put Cleveland ahead 92-89. The point guard hit a running 16-footer, was fouled, and sank the free throw to put Cleveland ahead to stay.

The Cavaliers then got the rebound of a missed shot by New Orleans and James passed to McInnis all alone on the right wing. He swished a 3-pointer for a 95-89 advantage.

James, four days shy of his 20th birthday, again flirted with becoming the youngest NBA player to get a triple-double. Lamar Odom of the Los Angeles Clippers was 20 years, 54 days old when he became the youngest to do it on Dec. 30, 1999 — which also was James' 15th birthday.

The teams exchanged wild momentum swings in the second half.

The Hornets opened the third quarter with a 14-0 run to take a 56-53 lead. The Cavaliers quickly responded with an 11-0 run that included breakaway dunks by James and Anderson Varejao for a 69-60 lead.

New Orleans went back ahead 76-73 with a 10-0 run over the third and fourth quarters.

Cleveland went 6:10 without a field goal until James scored on a layup with 8:16 remaining to bring the Cavaliers within 81-77.

The Cavaliers completely dominated inside in the first half, outscoring New Orleans 24-8 in the paint. James had nine assists and McInnis six as Cleveland continually found the open man underneath for easy layups in opening a 51-39 lead 1:35 before halftime.

The Hornets' Baron Davis, in his second game since missing 19 with an inflamed disk in his lower back, had 14 points in 19 minutes, hitting four of five shots from 3-point range.

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