Cleveland is perfect host (22-0)

With their big man back, the Cleveland Cavaliers looked much more like one of the NBA's Eastern giants.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas scored 20 points with 11 rebounds in his first game in exactly one month because of a broken left ankle and LeBron James added 25 points as the Cavaliers remained perfect at home with a 112-95 win over the Los Angeles Clippers last night.

One night after a frustrating loss at powerful Orlando, the Cavaliers improved to 22-0 on their own floor and tied the franchise record for the most consecutive home wins, set in the 1988-89 season.

And with the win, Mike Brown earned the spot as the Eastern Conference's coach for the All-Star Game Feb. 15. The honor goes to the coach with the highest winning percentage Feb. 1. And although Cleveland (.800) trails Boston (.813), Brown got the nod over Doc Rivers, who is ineligible because he coached in last season's game.

Rookie Eric Gordon scored 27 for the Clippers, who stayed close for nearly three quarters before dropping their eighth straight road game as they began a seven-game trip; Los Angeles has lost 18 of 20.

The Clippers were within 89-83 in the fourth when Mo Williams (23 points) hit a 3-pointer and the Cavaliers scored a few easy baskets inside to pull away.

Warriors 91, Hornets 87 - Corey Maggette scored 12 of his 19 points in the last six minutes as Golden State upset host New Orleans.

Golden State's Jamal Crawford scored 17, hitting a 19-footer with 15.4 seconds left to all but seal it after Peja Stojakovic had pulled New Orleans to 85-82 with 37 seconds left.

Chris Paul had 31 points for the Hornets, while David West, returning from back spasms that sidelined him five games, had 12 points and 15 rebounds.

Lakers 132, Timberwolves 119 - Andrew Bynum bulled his way inside to 27 points and 15 rebounds, his fifth straight double-double, and Kobe Bryant added 30 points as Los Angeles rolled in Minneapolis.

Pau Gasol scored 21 points for the Lakers, who beat Minnesota for the sixth consecutive time.

Al Jefferson had 34 points and 13 rebounds and Randy Foye scored 27 points for the Wolves, who rallied from a 20-point hole with an 18-7 run in the fourth quarter but couldn't get any closer.

Nuggets 110, Bobcats 99 - Carmelo Anthony scored 19 points in his first game back from a broken right hand to lift host Denver over Charlotte.

Nene had 22 points, hitting 10 of 11 shots, and 12 rebounds, his 14th double-double of the season.

Bucks 96, Raptors 85 - Charlie Villanueva had 26 points and 13 rebounds as visiting Milwaukee beat Toronto.

Andrew Bogut returned against the Raptors after missing eight games with back spasms and scored 13 points.

Hawks 105, Nets 88 - Joe Johnson scored 29 points, finishing 1 shy of 10,000 for his career, and backcourt mate Mike Bibby added 20 points to power host Atlanta.

The Nets have lost eight of nine, including three straight.

76ers 104, Wizards 94 - Willie Green scored a season-high 20 points and Andre Iguodala also had 20 as Philadelphia won for the 10th time in 12 games to move above .500 for the first time since Nov. 23.

Pacers 114, Heat 103 - Mike Dunleavy scored a season-high 30 points as Indiana beat Miami for its seventh straight home win.

Bulls 109, Kings 88 - Ben Gordon and Luol Deng each scored 20 points as Chicago won at Arco Arena for the first time in 12 years.

Jazz 110, Thunder 90 - Deron Williams had 24 points and 12 assists as host Utah snapped a four-game losing streak.