>Cavaliers get the better of LeBron James for a night

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In an unbearable season of losses, Cleveland got the win it wanted most.

The Cavaliers took down LeBron James.

Despite blowing a 23-point lead, the Cavaliers battled back and beat the Miami Heat, 102-90, on Tuesday night, getting a dose of revenge against James, who was making his second homecoming visit to Cleveland since leaving last summer.

J.J. Hickson scored 21 and Anthony Parker scored 20 for the Cavaliers, who were embarrassed by James and the Heat, 118-90, on Dec. 2 — a night when Cleveland fans unleashed their hatred on the superstar.

This time, James left the court hanging his head. He finished with 27 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.

In the closing seconds, a sellout crowd of 20,562 cut loose at a victory even the most loyal Cleveland fan couldn’t have imagined. Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, who accused James of quitting in last year’s playoffs after the two-time most valuable player announced in a TV special that he was joining Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, high-fived anyone within reach.

On the court afterward, Parker, whose last three-point shot with 2:47 left capped a 12-0 run and put the Heat away, addressed the fans.

“You guys deserve it,” he said.

The Cavaliers were a different team — literally — from the one that lay down against the Heat in December. Injuries and trades have reduced Cleveland’s roster to a shell of the one James played with and helped win 60 games last season.

The Heat rallied from 23 down, and tied it at 83-all on Mike Bibby’s seventh three-pointer with 7:03 left. But Miami, which wasted a chance to move into second place in the Eastern Conference, went scoreless for 4:24, allowing the Cavaliers to get their 15th win and their most lopsided victory this season.

Wade scored 24 for the Heat, which had its winning streak stopped at five.

at Oklahoma City 115, Golden State 114 (OT): Kevin Durant scored 39 points and Russell Westbrook hit the winning free throw with 11.4 seconds left in overtime for the Thunder. Durant scored eight of Oklahoma City’s nine points in overtime but served as a decoy to create room along the right side of the lane as Westbrook drove to the basket and was fouled. Westbrook missed his first free throw but made the second to put the Thunder on top. The Warriors’ Monta Ellis missed a jumper from the top of the key at the final buzzer. Stephen Curry led Golden State with 35 points.

Houston 112, at New Jersey 87: Kyle Lowry had 16 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds and the Rockets moved to within two games of the final playoff berth in the Western Conference. Kevin Martin scored 20 points as Houston won for the sixth time in seven games. Brook Lopez had 22 points for the Nets, who lost their third in a row and seventh in eight games. Deron Williams sat out his sixth straight game for New Jersey, which has lost 50 games for the second straight season.

at Sacramento 116, Phoenix 113: Marcus Thornton scored 24 points and had 11 rebounds and the Kings won their season-high fourth straight game. The loss was the third straight and eighth in 11 games for the Suns, who have watched any hopes of the playoffs practically disappear over this stretch.

>Hornets beat Cavaliers, 96-81; Chris Paul taken off court on stretcher

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In-game updates from Quicken Loans Arena as the Cavaliers look to build upon Friday’s road win in New York.

                                                          Final: Hornets 96, Cavs 81

Without their best player, the Hornets managed to play their toughest defense of the game.

Chris Paul was taken to the hospital with a head injury after he was carted off on a stretcher, and Cavaliers PR said he was responsive and aware of his surroundings.

After he left the game, the Hornets went from trailing 61-60, to embarking on a 20-5 streak that pushed the lead out of reach. They held the Cavaliers to 36.8 shooting, in all.

Baron Davis led the Cavs with 17 points on 6-for-11 shooting, with six assists and five rebounds. David West led the Hornets with 23 points and seven rebounds.

Third quarter update: Hornets 73, Cavaliers 66

The most significant event happened with 4:36 left in the third quarter, when Hornets point guard Chris Paul ran head-first into Ramon Sessions’ shoulder and fell down immediately.

Play stopped for about 10 minutes as medical staff attended to Paul, immobilized his neck and then wheeled him off on a stretcher. He flashed a “thumb’s up” sign as he was wheeled off. Cavaliers PR says Paul is responsive and headed to the hospital for evaluation.

The atmosphere was understandably more subdued after Paul’s injury, but the Hornets started to pull away. David West had nine more points in the quarter to bring his total to 22.

Second quarter update: Hornets 51, Cavaliers 48

Baron Davis continues to lead the Cavs when he’s on the court, though he’s slipped enormously in missing his first field goal attempt. He has 14 points on 5-for-6 shooting, and four assists.

Chris Paul came to life in the second quarter in driving his own squad, dishing out six assists to raise his halftime total to 10 assists. He also has 11 points. David West leads with 13 points.

First quarter update: Hornets 27, Cavs 24

Baron Davis saw his first game action in Cleveland, and he received a loud ovation from the crowd at The Q when he entered midway through the quarter.

He’s a point guard with great court vision, and his first two baskets to Alonzo Gee were for two easy baskets.

The Cavs are keeping it close, but so far David West is dominating the interior, hitting 2-for-3 field goals and 5-of-6 free throws for nine points. Emeka Okafor completely stuffed J.J. Hickson on one dunk attempt.

Cavs starters: F Alonzo Gee, F Samardo Samuels, C J.J. Hickson, G Anthony Parker, G Ramon Sessions.

Hornets starters: F Quincy Pondexter, F David West, C Emeka Okafor, G Marco Belinelli, G Chris Paul.

Injuries: Semih Erden (strained right abductor), Daniel Gibson (left quad bruise), Antawn Jamison (fractured finger) and Anderson Varejao (torn tendon, right foot) are out for Cavs. Trevor Ariza (strained left abductor) is questionable for the Hornets.

Inactives: Gibson, Jamison, Varejao for Cavs. D.J. Mbenga and Marcus Banks for the Hornets.

Officials: Ron Garretson, David Guthrie and Derek Richardson.

Three things to watch

1. Chris Paul had back-to-back single-digit games (including a season-low four against the Knicks) before scoring 23 against Memphis. Is the New Orleans point guard back to form?

2. How will Baron Davis do in his Cavs home debut?

3. The Hornets have lost six of their last nine games, though they won Friday against Memphis. Will they break free from their struggling streak against the Cavaliers?