EDS: UPDATES with Spurs-Nuggets; WILL STAND.
By The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) -LeBron James had 31 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists to lead Cleveland to a 97-90 victory over Washington on Monday night and a sweep of their first-round series.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas finished with 20 points and 19 rebounds, and he and Larry Hughes (19 points) scored 18 of Cleveland’s final 20 points.
The Cavaliers became the third Eastern Conference team in three days to finish a first-round sweep. Detroit dismissed Orlando on Saturday, and Chicago ended defending champion Miami’s season on Sunday.
The Cavaliers beat the Wizards in the first round a year ago – winning three games by one point – but Washington had Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler, who both missed this year’s series with injuries.
Antawn Jamison finished with 31 points, Darius Songaila scored 12 of his 16 in the fourth quarter, and Antonio Daniels had 13 points and 12 assists for the Wizards, who lost their last eight home games – six in the regular season and two in the playoffs.
Rockets 96, Jazz 92
HOUSTON (AP) – Tracy McGrady had 26 points and a career-high 16 assists, and Houston took a 3-2 lead in their first-round series.
Yao Ming scored 21 points for the Rockets, sealing the victory with two free throws with 11 seconds left. Yao also grabbed 15 rebounds, the last one in the closing seconds after Deron Williams missed a desperation 3-pointer.
Back home after two lethargic losses in Utah, the Rockets rediscovered their shooting touch, going 35-for-75 from the field (47 percent) and 12-for-24 from 3-point range. They also outrebounded Utah 42-39.
The Rockets can clinch their first postseason series victory since 1997 in Game 6 on Thursday in Utah.
Carlos Boozer scored 26 points but had only eight rebounds, denied a double-double for the first time in the series. Derek Fisher added 17 points and Williams had 13 for the Jazz, who have lost three straight Game 6s.
Spurs 96, Nuggets 89
DENVER (AP) – Robert Horry hit a 3-pointer from the right corner with 30 seconds left to seal San Antonio’s victory that gave the Spurs a 3-1 lead in the first-round series.
The Spurs can close out the best-of-seven series at home on Wednesday night.
The Nuggets, who blew a 10-point second-half lead, had pulled to 90-89 on Steve Blake’s jumper which looked like a 3 but his toe was on the line. Tony Parker of the Spurs took the inbounds pass following a timeout, penetrated the lane and kicked out to Horry all alone in the right corner.
Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 22 points, while Manu Ginobili added 18 points and Parker had 15.
Carmelo Anthony led the Nuggets with 29 points and Allen Iverson had 22 on 9-for-25 shooting.
Camby had 10 points and 17 rebounds and Nene had 18 points.
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