CAVS (35-11) 92, MIAMI HEAT (23-21) 91
at AmericanAirlines Arena
Monday
TV: NBA TV, Fox Sports Ohio
RADIO: WTAM

WHAT HAPPENED: LeBron James probably flew home with a pounding headache. He probably never felt better, however.

He got kicked in the head with about 4 seconds left in Monday's game. He was still able to make two free throws for the game-winning points.

Then, he defended Dwyane Wade on the last play, a missed 20-foot jumper.

"I have a headache right now," James said. "I was able to get up and knock down the two free throws."

Coach Mike Brown thought about double-teaming Wade on the last play. James would have nothing to do with it. He said he was guarding him.

"To get a stop on the road or at home, those are backbreaking plays," he said. "I hadn’t guarded D-Wade all night. On that last possession, I had to guard him."

He's averaging almost 35 points in his last nine games.

"I’ve played some great basketball in my career," he said. "I don’t look at how I’m playing, just so it results in wins. Right now I’m playing pretty good basketball."

He loves going against Wade. Both players finished with 32 points.

"The competitive nature comes out in all of us," James said. "We enjoy going against each other and trying to lead our team to a victory. I don’t look at it as extra motivation."

NOTES: The Cavs have the best record in the NBA. They are off to their third best start after 45 games in franchise history. They are 23-6 in their last 29 games, best in the league.

-- Forward Jamario Moon, who had missed the previous nine games with an abdominal strain, returned for the Cavs. "I feel pretty good," he said. "It felt like I was out six months."

-- In other injury news, guard Delonte West will be fitted with a splint. He could be available for Wednesday's game against Minnesota.

-- The Cavs have won five in a row. They've beaten the Heat four times in a row, including the last three in Miami.

STARTING LINEUPS
SF LeBron James vs. Quentin Richardson
PF J.J. Hickson vs. Michael Beasley
C Shaquille O'Neal vs. Jermaine O'Neal
SG Anthony Parker vs. Dwyane Wade
PG Daniel Gibson vs. Rafer Alston
INJURY REPORT
Cavs - G Mo Williams (sprained left shoulder), F Leon Powe (left knee surgery) and G Delonte West (fractured left ring finger) are out; F Jamario Moon (left abdominal strain) is questionable.
Heat - none.
OFFICIALS
Tom Washington, Leroy Richardson, Zach Zarba