NBA roundup: Saturday's action on the courts

After starting the season with two straight losses, the Cleveland Cavaliers seem to have righted their ship.

Delonte West(notes) scored 13 points - all in the second half - in his delayed season debut to spark Cleveland, Mo Williams(notes) had 24, and LeBron James(notes) added an unselfish 14 as the Cavaliers, finally at full strength, beat Charlotte 90-79 on Saturday night.

Williams made four three-pointers in the fourth quarter, and James added nine assists and seven rebounds for the Cavs, 2-2 after an 0-2 start.

West's turbulent off-season finally brought him back to the floor. After missing all eight pre-season games and Cleveland's first three of the regular season to deal with personal issues, West was cleared by team doctors, ending more than a month of drama.

"I thought he played terrific. He's been off and we had to walk him through a few plays here and there," Williams said, chuckling. "But besides that, he's just a basketball player. He knows the game. He knows the spots on the floor. He's familiar with us and it was great to have him back."

West went 5-of-7 from the field and had rebounds, two assists and a technical in 24 minutes.

Vladimir Radmanovic(notes) scored 12 points, and D.J. Augustin(notes) and Gerald Wallace(notes) 11 apiece to lead Charlotte, which has never won in Cleveland.

West's off-court issues have threatened to derail the Cavs' plans to make a strong run at an NBA title. As much as the team has tried to downplay West's absences and insisted that he has not been a distraction, his cloudy and delicate situation has lingered.

Cavs general manager Danny Ferry has been working closely with team doctors and a support team around West. The team had "loosely" targeted Cleveland's second home game as West's return date, Ferry said, and the parties came to a consensus before Saturday's game.

"Steps were followed and this is the next step of his process," Ferry said. "We're taking it one day at a time, but he's doing well."

Elsewhere in the NBA it was: Washington 123 New Jersey 104; Philadelphia 141 New Jersey 127 (OT); Milwaukee 96 Detroit 85; San Antonio 113 Sacramento 94; Houston 111 Portland 107; and Dallas 93 L.A. Clippers 84.

At Cleveland, West, who has not spoken to reporters since media day last month, was not available for comment following the game.

His teammates were more than happy to do that for him.

"He's important to our team," James said. "He can sit out for two weeks and he comes back in and he's right in the flow. I've said it before, he's just that type of guy."

"It's vital that we have everybody as we take this journey," Shaquille O'Neal(notes) said.

The 26-year-old West, who has been treated in the past for bipolar disorder, was arrested in September for carrying three concealed weapons. He reported to training camp on time but missed the Cavs' first four practices without an excuse. He came back but then left for a week to deal with his personal matters.

Last week, West's wife filed a domestic violence report against him.

But that was all in the past - for at least one night.

West hardly looked like he had missed any time, and his return had Cleveland's offence playing better than it has so far in this early season.

"We had a nice flow, and I think that helped him a lot, that we weren't struggling," Williams said. "He just came in and did what he did. He was confident. He made his plays. He made all the right decisions."

The Cavaliers trailed 46-45 early in the third before going on a 21-8 run - much of it with O'Neal on the bench - to open a 14-point lead entering the fourth. West was a factor in helping the Cavs distance themselves from the Bobcats, who were understandably exhausted after playing two overtimes Friday in a win over New York.

The Cavs are still getting used to playing with O'Neal, who made his first free throws of the season after 10 consecutive misses. He added eight points and five rebounds in 26 minutes. Zydrunas Ilgauskas(notes), coming off the bench behind O'Neal, went 5-for-5 from the floor and had five blocks.

"Myself and him," O'Neal said. "We are the best centre in the game."

James didn't have to dominate - not that he couldn't have.

"LeBron got 14, but he could have had 50, the way he played," Bobcats coach Larry Brown said. "He's so unselfish."

Wizards 123 Nets 104

At Washington, Gilbert Arenas(notes) scored 32 points, including a halfcourt buzzer-beater at the end of the first quarter, Andray Blatche(notes) scored a career-high 30 and the Wizards won their home opener.

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76ers 141 Knicks 127 (OT)

At New York, Andre Iguodala(notes) scored 32 points, including the go-ahead three-point play in overtime, as Philadelphia blew a 23-point lead before beating the Knicks.

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Bucks 96 Pistons 85

At Milwaukee, rookie Brandon Jennings(notes) scored 21 of his 24 points in the second half, Hakim Warrick(notes) came off the bench to add 21 points as the Bucks won their home opener over Detroit.

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Spurs 113 Kings 94

At San Antonio, Tony Parker(notes) scored 24 points and Richard Jefferson(notes) added 21 points, leading the Spurs to a victory over the winless Kings.

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Rockets 111 Trail Blazers 107

At Houston, Trevor Ariza(notes) scored a career-high 33 points, Aaron Brooks(notes) added 28 points and the Rockets held on to beat the Trail Blazers at home for the fifth straight time in the regular season.

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Mavericks 93 Clippers 84

At Los Angeles, Dirk Nowitzki(notes) had 24 points and nine rebounds, leading the Mavericks over the winless Clippers.