LeBron James went into overdrive when the game went into overtime.

James scored 12 of his 31 points in both extra sessions, to go along with a career-high 19 rebounds and eight assists, carrying the Cleveland Cavaliers past the pesky Charlotte Bobcats, 113-106 on Friday night.

"That's my time, that's when my team looks for me to step up and make big plays down the stretch," James said. "And that's what I did."

The Bobcats sent the game into overtime knotted at 93 apiece on Raymond Felton's three-pointer with three tenths of a second left in regulation.

The Cavaliers returned the favour on Damon Jones' triple with a minute remaining to force a second five-minute session.

In that period, James buried a long three-pointer to put the Cavaliers ahead 103-102. He made a free throw and a jumper before Jones knocked down another triple during a decisive 13-1 run, that opened up a 113-103 cushion with 29 seconds remaining.

Brazilian Anderson Varejao had 16 points along with a career-best 18 rebounds despite a bruised left knee and strained left Achilles tendon, helping the reigning Eastern Conference champion Cavaliers (19-18) to their seventh win in the last nine games.

Gerald Wallace scored 27 points while Nazr Mohammed had 21 and 15 rebounds for Charlotte (13-22), which had stunned mighty Boston in its last game. Jason Richardson finished with 19 points, but had just two in the final three quarters.

Elsewhere:

Boston Celtics 86, New Jersey Nets 77

Kevin Garnett had 20 points along with 11 rebounds, and the Celtics held the Nets to nine fourth-quarter points, for their 30th victory of the season.

Paul Pierce scored 18 points, Ray Allen had 16 as league-best Boston (30-4) posted its 10th consecutive road victory, to match the best overall start in franchise history.

Richard Jefferson netted 17 points, Vince Carter had 16 while Josh Boone added 14 and a career-high 16 rebounds for the Nets (18-18) who were outscored 23-9 in the final quarter.

New Orleans 114, Miami Heat 88

Bobby Jackson scored 25 points on 9-of-9 shooting, including a career-high seven three-pointers as the Hornets handed the visiting Heat its 10th straight loss.

Chris Paul collected 18 points and 16 assists for New Orleans (24- 12), which shot 61 per cent along with 13 three-pointers.

Mark Blount led Eastern Conference-worst Miami (8-29) with 27 points.

Washington Wizards 102, Atlanta Hawks 98 (OT)

Antawn Jamison had 22 points along with 17 rebounds, and Antonio Daniels hit the go-ahead layup with 37 seconds left in overtime, as the Wizards halted the Hawks' four-game winning streak.

Josh Smith led host Atlanta (16-17) with 35 points and rookie Al Horford grabbed 19 rebounds.

Chicago Bulls 100, Philadelphia 76ers 97

Argentine Andres Nocioni scored 27 points, Joe Smith had 19 and the Bulls sent the Sixers to their season-high sixth straight loss.

Andre Iguodala led host Philadelphia (14-23) with 25 points and Samuel Dalembert had 21 and a season-high 20 rebounds.

Houston Rockets 113, Minnesota Timberwolves 82

Argentine Luis Scola had 22 points and nine rebounds while rookie Carl Landry added career-highs of 15 points and 11 rebounds, helping the Rockets roll to their season-high fifth straight win.

Ryan Gomes had 20 points for league-worst Minnesota (5-30) losers of 13th straight road games.

Denver Nuggets 113, Orlando Magic 103

Carmelo Anthony scored 32 points, while Anthony Carter had 14 of his career high-tying 21 in the fourth quarter along with 11 assists, leading the Nuggets (22-13) into a tie with Portland for the Northwest Division lead.

Rashard Lewis led South-east Division-leading Orlando (23-15) with 21 points while Dwight Howard finished with 20 and 13 rebounds.

Dallas Mavericks 88, Seattle SuperSonics 70

Reigning league MVP Dirk Nowitzki scored 20 points, Josh Howard had 18, and the surging Mavericks ran their winning streak to a season-high six in a row.

Wally Szczerbiak scored 17 points in Seattle's sixth straight loss.

Golden State Warriors 116, Memphis Grizzlies 104

Monta Ellis scored 27 points while Baron Davis had 20 and a career-high 19 assists as the Warriors beat the visiting Grizzlies for the fifth straight time, despite a season-high 43-point effort by Spain's Pau Gasol.

LA Lakers 110, Milwaukee Bucks 105

Kobe Bryant scored 16 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter, Andrew Bynum had 25 along with a career-high 17 rebounds, leading the Lakers to their season-high fifth straight victory.

Mo Williams led the visiting Bucks (15-21) with 28 points, and Michael Redd had 22, after sitting out the last four games with a left thigh bruise.

Toronto Raptors 99, New York Knicks 90

Chris Bosh had 40 points along with 11 rebounds, and the visiting Raptors handed the Knicks their ninth loss in the last 10 games.

Jamal Crawford led New York (9-26) with 27 points.