Cavs blow out Mavs

[SenorSpur]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=260329005

LeBron scores 46, leads Cavs to playoff-clinching win

CLEVELAND (AP) -- LeBron James was 13 years old the last time the Cleveland Cavaliers played in the postseason.

James helped end the long drought Wednesday night by scoring 46 points to help the Cavaliers clinch their first playoff berth since 1998 with a 107-94 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

The Cavaliers were low-key about their accomplishment, leaving the floor without celebrating.

"We have bigger goals than that," Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said. "If the fans want to celebrate and the city wants to celebrate, that's fine. We expected to be in the playoffs."

James was relentless driving to the basket and shot 16-of-23, adding five rebounds and four assists as he led the Cavaliers to their sixth straight win.

He played long after the game was out of reach, and took a couple vicious fouls before finally leaving to a standing ovation with 2:18 left.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 29 points and Jerry Stackhouse had 23 to lead Dallas, which has lost three of four.

The Mavericks (54-18) fell to 1½ games behind San Antonio for the best record in the Western Conference and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

[Kori Ellis]

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