CAVS (44-14) 105, NEW ORLEANS HORNETS (30-27) 95
at Quicken Loans Arena
Tuesday
TV: Fox Sports Ohio
RADIO: WTAM

WHAT HAPPENED: The Cavs finally played some semblance of defense in the fourth quarter, as they held the Hornets to 19 points and 35 percent shooting (6 of 17). But for the game, the Hornets still shot 50 percent.

That's been a regular occurrence for opponents as of late. But they snapped their three-game losing streak, their longest since March 2008.

Heading into the game, observers figured Mo Williams would have problems with mighty mite Darren Collison, and he most certainly did. Williams was outscored, 22-6.

The 6-foot, 160-pounder has averaging 17.4 points, 7.9 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 17 games as a starter.

Collison, the No. 21 pick out of UCLA last June, is just the third rookie in the last 20 seasons to have 14 or more assists in consecutive games (Milwaukee's Ramon Sessions on April 14-16, 2007, and Golden State's Tim Hardaway on April 10-12, 1990, are the others).

The real thorn in the Cavs' side was fellow rookie Marcus Thornton, who ripped the Cavs with a career-high 37 points.

The Cavs are going to struggle with the way they have been defending. But another problem is the way they are shooting from the perimeter. Williams and Delonte West need to make some outside shots.

NOTES -- The Cavs are now 20-6 against the Western Conference, 12-1 at The Q.

-- Center Shaquille O'Neal has made 18 of 23 shots from the field in the last two games.

-- Guard Anthony Parker had 13 points and four rebounds. He's reached double figures in three of his last four games.

STARTERS
SF LeBron James vs. Peja Stojakovic
PF Antawn Jamison vs. David West
C Shaquille O'Neal vs. Emeka Okafor
SG Anthony Parker vs. Morris Peterson
PG Mo Williams vs. Darren Collison
INACTIVES
Cavs - F Darnell Jackson, G/F Danny Green, G Sebastian Telfair.
Hornets - F/C Ike Diogu.
OFFICIALS
Tom Washington, Pat Fraher, Marat Kogut