Best said it’s easy to stop shooting after you’ve missed five or six in a row.

“But then you look into the eyes of your teammates and they give you the ball without hesitation,” he said. “I didn’t have too much rhythm all game, but once Jay and Vince took control, I knew I would get some open shots. The last one I took, I really stepped into it and I felt it was going down.”

James, who did not take a shot until late in the first quarter, had 28 points, seven assists and five of the Cavaliers’ 20 turnovers. He played 45 minutes despite battling a cold.

Jeff McInnis had 23 points and Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 20 points and 18 rebounds, which tied his season high.

“You have to give them credit,” said Ilgauskas, who has scored at least 20 points in 11 of 14 games. “After we got close, they didn’t panic and made some shots.”

The Cavaliers (31-23) are starting a tough stretch of games that includes contests with San Antonio, Seattle, Philadelphia, Miami and Orlando.

“This is not the way we wanted to start,” McInnis said after Cleveland lost its second straight. “But this is one game. It’s a tough loss. When you fight back from 20 down you want to get the win. We just have to keep playing.”

New Jersey seemingly took control midway through the second quarter, when Krstic hit two free throws to cap a 29-9 run that gave the Nets a 46-25 lead.

Notes: The NBA is expected to announce approval of the sale of the Cavaliers to Detroit businessman Dan Gilbert early this week. Gilbert agreed to purchase the franchise for $375 million from owner Gordon Gund, who is keeping a 10-percent share of the team. ... The Nets were 34-for-39 from the free throw line. Cleveland was 23-of-28. The Cavs were called for four technical fouls by the crew of Sean Corbin, Ed Malloy and Blane Reichelt. Coach Paul Silas, McInnis, Drew Gooden and Robert Traylor were whistled. Traylor’s came in the third quarter after he shoved Carter down to the court after being hacked repeatedly. ... New Jersey has won seven straight at home against Cleveland.

MORE FROM WEDNESDAY'S RESULTS

Mavericks 95, Grizzlies 94

Mavericks 95, Grizzlies 94 76ers 89, Hornets 78 Kings 100, Timberwolves 98 Pistons 113, Nets 89 Magic 98, Bucks 73 Raptors 119, Wizards 109 Bobcats 104, Knicks 87 Hawks 115, Warriors 94 Rockets 112, Sonics 102   Add Wednesday's results headlines to your news reader: