All-Star Kobe Bryant, the NBA's second leading scorer, left the game in the opening quarter after he severely twisted his right ankle fighting for a rebound under the Cleveland basket.
The Lakers guard was helped off the Staples Center court and taken for x-rays which, according to television reports, came back negative. Bryant is due to undergo an MRI examination Friday.
LeBron James, still playing with a plastic mask to protect his broken cheekbone, produced a brilliant effort for the Cavaliers. He once again flirted with his first career triple-double, hitting for 28 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas also had a double-double, contributing 13 points and 15 rebounds. The Cavaliers, though, sustained their first loss in five games.
In Houston, Bob Sura poured in a career-high 35 points, including a clutch three-pointer in overtime, to lift the streaking Rockets to a 94-85 win over the struggling New Jersey Nets.
With Houston's two big weapons, Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, having quiet nights, Sura filled the void by nailing a three-pointer with 62 seconds to play in overtime to push the Rockets in front 90-85.
McGrady added 18 points and seven assists while Ming was held to six points and nine rebounds. The victory was Houston's third in a row.
Vince Carter had 17 points for the Nets while Jason Kidd went close to a triple-double, grabbing 16 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. New Jersey's defeat was its fifth in six games.
In Sacramento, Peja Stojakovic collected 27 points and Chris Webber added 23 points and nine rebounds to guide the Kings to a 107-93 triumph over the Utah Jazz.
After back-to-back wins over the San Antonio Spurs and the league-leading Phoenix Suns, the Jazz could not make it three straight.
Matt Harpring hit for 16 points and Carlos Boozer added 15 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in a losing cause.
