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James leads Cavs past Timberwolves

Apr 4, 2007 - 6:11 AM MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The Cleveland Cavaliers are marching toward the playoffs. The Minnesota Timberwolves are heading towards their second straight lottery.

LeBron James scored 31 points to lead the Cavaliers to a 101-88 win over the lowly Timberwolves.

James shot 13-of-24 from the field with 12 rebounds, six assists and four steals for the Cavaliers (45-30), who moved a full game ahead of idle Chicago (44-31) for second place in the Central Division and the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.

"Every game is important," James said. "Every game is big down the stretch."

"We had a lot of solid individual contributors," Cleveland coach Mike Brown said. "LeBron was LeBron, but I was really impressed with the 12 rebounds."

The Cavaliers opened the game with a big third quarter, outscoring the Timberwolves, 25-13. Drew Gooden scored 16 points in the quarter and James added eight. Gooden scored 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting and pulled down 13 boards.

"I got in a nice zone," Gooden said, "But the ball was bouncing my way too."

"We definitely had a great game today," James said." ... Offensively, we looked really sharp. We took over in the third quarter, holding them to 13 points."

Kevin Garnett scored 22 points and rookie Randy Foye added 18 to pace Minnesota (31-43), which dropped 5 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Clippers (36-37) for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference with just eight games to play.

"We didn't have everyone come and play tonight," Timberwolves coach Randy Wittman said. "It shouldn't be (inevitable at this point in the season). ... We have eight games left. If you have any pride and competitiveness in you, you come out and play every game like it is your last. That is what I believe."

Minnesota turned the ball over 18 times and shot just 42 percent (30-of-71) from the floor.