DALLAS -- Tim Thomas took Dirk Nowitzki's spot in the starting lineup and did a nice impression with 22 points, helping the Dallas Mavericks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 102-95 Sunday night to spoil LeBron James' 500th career game.
The Cavs had won five straight and their previous four against the Mavericks, but they trailed the entire second half. They got pulled to 84-83 midway through the fourth quarter, but Dallas answered with a 12-4 spurt capped by 3-pointers from Jason Kidd and Jason Terry.
James had 25 points, six assists and three rebounds, but didn't get enough help. Mo Williams scored only eight points, and Shaquille O'Neal was just 1 of 7 for five points.
Terry scored 19 points, and Kidd had 10 points and 11 assists.
