NBA Scores, Scoreboard and Records From Jan. 12

Despite playing on his second team since Dallas’ 2011 NBA Finals win over the Miami Heat, James has yet to lose a single game against Dallas since his first season playing in South Florida. They are 4.5 games ahead of the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern conference standings. They began a six-game road trip last week and now move into the last three games by starting in Texas to face future hall of famer Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Dallas plays Northwest Division leader Oklahoma City, Chicago (second in the Central behind Cleveland) and then Southwest leader San Antonio. Seven of the nine players to see the court scored in double figures.

LeBron James had 22 points and Tristan Thompson added 18 points and 14 rebounds for Cleveland, which had won eight in a row. They need their team to continue their pace though, because their next opponent is also one of the best in the league.

“The zone he was in, it was a big game for us”, Kevin Love said. “We’re finally whole”, James told reporters, referencing the recent return of Irving and guard Iman Shumpert from injuries. “They’re also very good defensively and they’re a good rebounding team, so we’ve got our hands full”.

Cleveland Cavaliers Guard Kyrie Irving during Tuesday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks. Manu Ginobili finished with 15 points and five rebounds, Tim Duncan added 14 points, nine rebounds, four steals and two blocks.

Cleveland, which trailed at times by as many as 11, didn’t lead until a minute into the fourth quarter.

“I heard this term many, many years ago from a fellow coach: ‘Don’t underestimate greatness at any age, ‘” Carlisle said.

Guard Lou Williams scored 19 points, handed out eight assists and hit a crucial basket with the game on the line as the Los Angeles Lakers snapped a four-game skid with a 95-91 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans at Staples Centre. Their offensive rating is +13.9 points higher when he is on the floor and their defensive rating is only -3.9 points worse.

James was the inbounder, but his bounce pass to Irving bounced too high and the fourth-quarter clock ran out before the Cavs could get a shot off. It was a frustrating end to regulation for James, who twice thought officials blew a call in the final minute. It’s just that the way they approached the Dallas game seems like a solid formula for success along the way.

Cleveland is the only team in the league that Mavericks Nowitzki has averaged fewer than 20 points against, in his career.

Mavericks: at Oklahoma City on Wednesday night.

With Golden State stealing the show through the early part of the season, San Antonio (34-6) has quietly built the best start in the storied franchise’s history.

The power outage, which took place with 4:32 remaining in the second quarter, delayed the game for 21 minutes, but in rallied from a two-point deficit when the lights came back on to lead by 10 at halftime, seizing the momentum when play resumed.