[NBA] Cavaliers Win 18th Straight at Home

The Cleveland Cavaliers won their 18th straight home game yesterday over the Charlotte Bobcats, 111-81, in Quicken Loans Arena.

The Cavs (28-6) remained unbeaten at home this season and overtook the Boston Celtics (29-8) by half a game to lead the Eastern Conference.

The Bobcats, which won in overtime over the struggling Celtics Tuesday, fell behind 20 points in the first quarter against the Cavs.

LeBron James had 21 points, four assists and four rebounds. He sat out the fourth quarter.

The 1985-86 Celtics held the record for best home record of 40-1 in a season.

The 1995-96 Chicago Bulls challenged to break the record but finished 39-2 at home. That team finished with the best NBA season record in history, 72-10.

The Cavaliers will face the Celtics at home for the second time this season Saturday. In the first meeting, Boston won at home, 85-90.

The Celtics yesterday lost their third straight 89-85 to the Houston Rockets at home.

Center Yao Ming led the Rockets to victory with a team-high 26 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

The Celtics were led by Paul Pierce (26 points), Kevin Garnett (18) and Ray Allen (13).

hic@donga.com