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James, Cavs gore Bulls for second time this week

Nov 9, 2008 - 5:34 AM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- LeBron James tied his season-high with 41 points to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 106-97 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday.

James added 13 rebounds and four assists. He also buried a clutch 3-pointer with 1:29 to play that put the Cavaliers on top, 102-96. He also scored 41 points in a win over the Bulls on Wednesday in Cleveland.

"I just take what the defense gives me," James said. I shot well tonight and found some creases in the defense. Back-to-back games like this are the ones you need to get."

Ben Gordon scored 29 points and Luol Deng added 20 for Chicago, which was without guard Kirk Hinrich, who may miss around three months with a torn ligament in his right thumb.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 16 points and Anderson Varejao added 13 for the Cavs, who have won four straight.

"I thought the difference in the second half was our defense," Cleveland coach Mike Brown said. "The first half we got hammered on the offensive glass. I don't think I have seen our team get beaten on the glass like that this year. We got it back together in the second half."

The Bulls led 77-74 after three, but James and the Cavs made their move.

Sparked by James, the Cavaliers went on a 15-0 run to start the fourth quarter and turned their deficit into an 89-77 lead. James scored the first eight points of the burst and then helped keep the Bulls at bay down the stretch.

Gordon hit a pair of jumpers to pull the Bulls within 96-94 with 2:15 to play. But James never let them come all the way back.

James made a 3-pointer and then answered two free throws by Gordon with another that pushed the lead to 102-96 and effectively ended the game.

"We got a little predictable in the second half, but our guys fought hard and I am not disapointed with the effort. I am disappointed with the outcome," Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said. "You have to give Cleveland some credit, but Lebron made some tough shots. We tried changing up defense on him a few times but he is a tough cover."

Chicago should be used to this kind of show from James by now.

He shot 13-of-29 from the field, including 4-of-7 from the arc. He was also 11-of-13 from the line and now has scored 30 or more points in seven straight games against Chicago.

"The fourth quarter is where I make my name," James said. "I may not be able to do it every night, but I did tonight. With the new guys we have I was able to come out for a spell, then I was fresh the last six minutes of the game."

Rookie Derrick Rose had 17 points and nine assists for the Bulls, who have lost three of four.

"It's tough to play heavy minutes and have to shut down LeBron, he just took off at the end but that is no excuse," Rose said. "We still have to find a way to win."