BASKETBALL

JAMES AND STEVENSON KEEP FEUD BOILING DURING 100–97 CAVS WIN IN D.C.

King James lost his crown.

All right, so it was his burgundy headband that went flying when LeBron James took a shot to the noggin from DeShawn Stevenson, their simmering feud nearly boiling over. James kept his cool, allowing the flagrant foul to spark him and his Cleveland Cavaliers. At game’s end, James was just as collected, drawing waves of Washington Wizards defenders before dishing to Delonte West for a tie-breaking 3-pointer with 5.4 seconds left. That shot, along with James’ 34 points and 12 rebounds, led the Cavaliers to a 100–97 victory yesterday and a 3–1 lead in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference playoff series.

“There’s been some extracurricular activities going on outside and inside this series,” James said, “but I’ve been able to stay focused.”

The Wizards were ahead by a point with 3 1/2 minutes left in the first half when James drove to the basket, and Stevenson came from behind and swiped a hand out, clipping the Cavs’ star with what James said teammates told him was a closed fist before tumbling to the court. James kept his balance and stepped toward Stevenson, who got up and stepped toward James.

They exchanged words, but that was it, before teammates stepped in between.

SUNS AVOID FOUR-GAME SWEEP WITH 105–86 ROUT OF SPURS IN PHOENIX

A Frenchman put Phoenix on the brink of elimination, another brought the Suns back to life.

Boris Diaw fell two assists shy of a triple-double yesterday and the Suns avoided a first-round sweep at the hands of San Antonio with a 105–86 rout of the Spurs.

Diaw, starting in place of injured Grant Hill, had 20 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists in one of the best playoff performances of his career.

Diaw also played tough defense on his good friend and fellow Frenchman Tony Parker, who scored 18 points after a career-high 41 in San Antonio’s 115–99 victory Friday night in Game 3.