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Jamison powers Cavs over Nets

Jan 2, 2012 - 2:10 AM Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - Antawn Jamison poured in a game-high 23 points and pulled down five rebounds, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 98-82 win over the New Jersey Nets at Quicken Loans Arena.

Daniel Gibson finished with 19 points, while first-overall draft pick Kyrie Irving contributed 13 points and Alonzo Gee netted 11 for the Cavs, who bounced back from an overtime loss at Indiana on Friday.

Despite hitting only one shot, Anderson Varejao ripped down 11 rebounds for Cleveland, which shot an incredible 61.5 percent (16-of-26) from three-point range.

Deron Williams led the Nets with 16 points, Anthony Morrow finished with 15 points. Sundiata Gaines and Kris Humphries totaled 11 points apiece for the Nets, who have lost four straight since opening the season with a win over the Washington Wizards.

After a first quarter that featured four ties and two lead changes, New Jersey held a 27-24 edge. The Nets shot 44 percent from the floor and were led by Williams and Gaines, who finished with six points each in the first frame.

The second quarter was just as close as the first, with the Nets leading by as many as six, and the Cavs leading by as many as five. It was tied five times and featured five lead changes before New Jersey began to pull away slightly.

With the game knotted at 43 and 1:56 to go before the break, the Nets used a 6-0 burst to take a 49-43 lead into the locker room.

The Nets shot 40 percent from the floor and 5-of-11 from three-point range in the opening 24 minutes, while Cleveland shot 45 percent from the field and 6- of-14 from beyond the arc. Williams led the Nets with 12 first-half points, while Gibson paced the Cavs with eight.

The Cavs came alive in the third quarter, outscoring New Jersey, 30-18, to pull away.

Trailing 55-48 three minutes into the quarter, the Cavs went on a 22-8 run to take a 70-63 lead and close out the third quarter leading 73-67.

A three-pointer by Morrow with 9:07 to play in regulation pulled the Nets within 78-76, but Cleveland responded with a 14-2 run to go ahead 92-78 with 3:41 left.

Game Notes

Cleveland now leads the all-time series between the teams, 86-65...Gee set a new career-high with three treys made...Gibson sank five three-pointers...The Cavs shot 49 percent overall, while New Jersey shot just 38 percent...Cleveland outrebounded New Jersey, 36-32...Damion Jones and Mehmet Okur finished with 10 points apiece for New Jersey...The contest featured 11 lead changes and nine ties...The Nets will head to Indiana to face the Pacers on Monday, while Cleveland will host Charlotte on Tuesday.