Shaq Nets 21 Points, Cavaliers Rally To Defeat Wizards

November 4, 2009 5:36 a.m. EST

Cleveland, OH (AHN) - Shaquille O'Neal scored a season-high 21 points to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to their third straight victory, defeating the Washington Wizards 102-90 Tuesday night.

LeBron James chipped in 27 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and three steals, and Mo Williams shot well from the arc in going 3-for-4, and ended up with 15 points.

Daniel Gibson added 14 points off the bench in 27 minutes played.

The Washington Wizards led early but could not hold off a powerful Cleveland team.

Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler scored 22 points apiece but that's all the offense the Wizards would have.

The other three starters Miller, Haywood, and Oberto combined to score only 23 points.

Washington jumped out to a 31-17 point lead after the first quarter.

The Cavaliers who went 46-3 last season at home, came back to outscore the Wizards 85-59 the final three quarters.

The Cleveland Cavaliers win their third straight game after starting the season 0-2. Cleveland improves to (3-2) and will host the Chicago Bulls (2-2) on Thursday night.

The Washington Wizards drop to (2-2) and are home to face the Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat (3-1) Wednesday night.

Both these teams will meet again two more times this season.

The next game will be in Washington on Nov. 18th at 7 pm on ESPN.