LeBron James scored 51 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers edged the Sacramento Kings 126-123 in overtime to clinch the Central Division title. Anderson Varejao was closest to James with a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds, as the Cavs clinched their first division title in 33 years and only their second in franchise history. The news was not as good for the Toronto Raptors, whose woeful run continued as they went down in overtime 99-95 to the Detroit Pistons.
Richard Hamilton had 24 points and 16 assists and Antonio McDyess added 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Pistons who condemned Toronto to their seventh straight defeat. The Boston Celtics ended their losing run by extending the Memphis Grizzlies winless streak to four games with a 102-92 victory. Leon Powe scored a career-high 30 points, while Ray Allen scored 22 points. Thaddeus Young also scored a career-high tally with 31 points to help the Philadelphia 76ers triumph 104-101 against the Chicago Bulls.
The Orlando Magic beat the Washington Wizards 112-103, thanks in part to Dwight Howard's 18 points, while Yao Ming scored 23 points as the Houston Rockets beat the Charlotte Bobcats 91-86, and the Atlanta Hawks beat the Indiana Pacers 101-87. The Portland Trail Blazers bettered the New Jersey Nets in a 109-100, the Golden State Warriors beat the Dallas Mavericks 119-110, the New Orleans Hornets saw off the Milwaukee Bucks 95-86, and the New York Knicks defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 102-94.
* With agencies
