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March 16, 2003
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Ricky Davis wanted to give himself a triple-double by shooting at the wrong basket, leaving Jerry Sloan fuming.
Davis had 28 points, a career-high 12 assists and missed his first career triple-double by one rebound as the Cleveland Cavaliers snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 122-95 victory over the Utah Jazz on Sunday.
After Utah's Scott Padgett scored with six seconds left, Davis took an inbounds pass and was ready to attempt a shot at the wrong basket to get his 10th rebound. DeShawn Stevenson wrapped his arms around Davis before the attempt and was whistled for a foul. Davis made two free throws to complete the scoring.
``He was trying to embarrass us, and that's not how the game should be played,'' Sloan said.
``This is not schoolyard basketball,'' the Utah coach said. ``Let him try to get it when the game means something. I was proud of DeShawn and I would have knocked him down harder. They can put me in jail for saying that, but that's the way it is.''
Davis said his teammates yelled out that he needed one more rebound.
``They should be mad,'' Davis said. ``Any team that gets beat that bad shouldn't be happy. But I wouldn't do it again. I just wouldn't. I'd probably be mad, too, losing by 20.''
``I have nothing against Ricky,'' Stevenson said. ``But for someone to go out there and do that is not right. I'm not going to let that happen.''
Jumaine Jones scored 23 points and Milt Palacio added a career-high 20 for the Cavaliers, who won for the second time in 15 games.
The Cavs, who have a league-worst record of 12-53, need four wins in their final 17 games to avoid tying the franchise's worst mark of 15-67, set in their inaugural season of 1970-71 and matched in 1981-82.
Mark Jackson of the Jazz overtook Magic Johnson for second place on the NBA's career assists list. Jackson set up a 22-foot baseline jumper by Calbert Cheaney with 8:35 remaining for his 10,142nd assist and fifth of the game.
``It would have been much nicer in a blowout win,'' Jackson said. ``It's special to me, obviously. It is truly an honor.''
Jackson received a standing ovation when he was replaced 11 seconds later by all-time leader John Stockton, who finished with nine assists and raised his career total to 15,671.
``I want to thank the Cleveland fans,'' Jackson said. ``It is something I won't forget. They showed class and I'm fortunate to have done it here.''
Tony Massenburg starting in place of Greg Ostertag, who was sidelined with a concussion, scored a season-high 20 points, including 14 in the first half. Matt Harpring added 20 points.
Cleveland improved to 4-19 under interim coach Keith Smart, who replaced the fired John Lucas on Jan. 20 -- two days after the Cavaliers lost in Utah 95-78.
``That was pretty close to a perfect game,'' Smart said. ``I have a lot of respect for coach Sloan and tried to mimic my system after his.''
Jones shot 4-for-5 from 3-point range and scored 14 points in the second quarter to help Cleveland to a 57-46 lead at the break.
``I shot 0-for-8 in my last game and I wasn't about to do that again,'' Jones said. ``My teammates got me the ball in good spots.''
DeSagana Diop blocked consecutive shots that led to a dunk by Davis, sparking a 19-5 run as the Cavaliers rallied from a 27-20 deficit.
Diop had four blocks and seven rebounds in 10 minutes in the first half. Notes Cavs rookie Dajuan Wagner needs surgery for torn cartilage in his right knee and is expected to miss the rest of the season. GM Jim Paxson said the team will likely sign a player to fill out the roster. ... Cleveland outrebounded the Jazz 49-26 and shot 60.2 percent from the field. ... Jones shot 6-for-7 from 3-point range, and the Jazz were 3-for-12 from beyond thearc. ... Cleveland had a season-high 34 assists.
Updated on Sunday, Mar 16, 2003 6:04 pm, EST
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