This was the first of the NBA's three "China Games," and Stern was on hand to explain the league's massive expansion plans in a country with the world's fastest-growing major economy. This is also where 300 million people - the entire population of the United States - are reported to play basketball.
"I thought it was a big deal tonight even though it was a preseason game," Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said. "It almost felt like the electricity you feel in some of the buildings in a game that kind of matters."
The teams play again Saturday in the former Portuguese territory of Macau. Today in Macau, the Magic face a Chinese all-star team.
James finished with 17 points in 28 minutes.
Dwight Howard's 31 points and 14 rebounds led Orlando, with Jameer Nelson adding 24 points. Larry Hughes scored 16 points for Cleveland in 27 minutes.
Kidd stands accused
A woman has accused New Jersey Net
Jason Kidd of harassing and groping her this month at a trendy Manhattan nightspot. The New York Police Department confirmed the 23-year-old woman filed a complaint against another club-goer Oct. 11, a day after she said she was harassed and groped at the Tenjune club. A police official confirmed news reports the woman told police Kidd approached her inside the club and, without warning, grabbed her crotch. She said when she tried to fend him off, he kept grabbing her until she was forced to leave, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation hadn't been concluded . . .
Kobe Bryant returned to practice after sitting out the previous three days, and coach
Phil Jackson said he expects the disgruntled Los Angeles Lakers star to play in an exhibition game tonight. The Lakers face Seattle in Bakersfield, Calif.
MSG seeks reduction
Madison Square Garden and New York Knicks coach
Isiah Thomas have asked a federal judge to drastically reduce the $11.6 million in punitive damages a jury awarded to a former Knicks executive after concluding she was sexually harassed and fired out of spite.
Anucha Browne Sanders was awarded the damages earlier this month after a three-week trial that portrayed the Knicks offices as a dysfunctional clubhouse where Browne Sanders endured profanity-laced conversations with Thomas before he turned unwanted affection toward her.
