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James makes short debut as Raptors top Cavs

Oct 8, 2008 - 2:02 AM By Jeff Brewer PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- In an effort to conserve their franchise player, the Cleveland Cavaliers played LeBron James just over eight minutes in a 104-84 loss to the Toronto Raptors in the first exhibition game for both teams Tuesday.

James, entering his sixth NBA season, has played at least 3,000 minutes in each campaign and recently helped lead the "Redeem Team" to a gold medal in the Summer Olympics in Beijing. "The King" said during training camp that he "gave up rest" to represent his country.

The two-time NBA All-Star Game MVP went 1-of-2 from the free-throw line and added two assists while Zydrunas Ilgauskas paced Cleveland with 16 points on 8-of-12 shooting.

Mo Williams scored 12 points in his debut with the Cavaliers, who also got 12 points from third-year point guard Daniel Gibson.

Cleveland led 51-43 at half, but Toronto's second and third units outscored the Cavaliers, 61-33, in the second half.

Jermaine O'Neal, who came to Toronto in the offseason after eight seasons with the Indiana Pacers, had 11 points and four rebounds. James' Olympic teammate, Chris Bosh, played nearly 20 minutes and collected 11 points and seven rebounds.

Andrea Bargnani, the No. 1 pick in the 2006 draft, came off the bench and tallied 15 points and eight rebounds for Toronto.