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Cavaliers need James to dominate vs. Timberwolves

Feb 29, 2008 - 3:08 PM Minnesota (12-44) at Cleveland (32-26) 7:30 pm EST

CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- Although the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired four new players last week, the team still needs superstar LeBron James to dominate if they expect to win games.

James and the Cavaliers look to bounce back Friday when they host the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves.

Cleveland fell to just 2-2 since acquiring Ben Wallace, Joe Smith, Delonte West and Wally Szczerbiak in a blockbuster deal on February 21, enduring a disappointing 92-87 loss to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday.

James scored 26 points on just 7-of-24 shooting - the fewest field goals he's had in a game since he made just five shots against Indiana on December 11. He also recorded just four assists, his fewest in eight games, but did become the fastest player in NBA history to eclipse the 10,000-point plateau.

To his defense, the 23-year-old James, who is averaging an NBA-best 30.2 points per game this season, played slightly injured most of the game after spraining his right ankle with just over four minutes left in the first half when he landed on Paul Pierce's foot after making a layup. X-rays were negative.

The Timberwolves suffered their third setback in the last four games during a 107-85 drubbing against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday.

Al Jefferson scored 23 points but was limited to just five rebounds as Minnesota had a difficult time holding onto the basketball, committing 19 turnovers.