By TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer

CLEVELAND (AP) -- LeBron James scored 30 points, 24 in the second
half, and Cleveland wore down the aging Boston Celtics for a
104-93 victory on Sunday, the Cavaliers' second decisive win
over one of the East's premier teams in less than a month.

The Cavaliers were closer to full strength with the return of
forward Antawn Jamison, who had 15 points and 12 rebounds after
missing one game with a sore knee. Anderson Varejao had 17
points and 10 boards.

Last month, the Cavs beat the Celtics by 20 in Boston. In that
game, center Shaquille O'Neal sustained a serious thumb injury
and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

Cleveland doesn't appear to be missing him right now.

Ray Allen scored 20, while Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett had 18
apiece for the Celtics.

But Boston's Big Three was no match for Cleveland's Chosen One.

James added eight rebounds, seven assists and three blocks in
another MVP-type performance. He also shook off being
accidentally poked in the left eye in the third quarter by
Garnett.

Leading by eight after three, the Cavs scored the first nine
points in the fourth. Cleveland's defense, which usually gets
tougher in the final 12 minutes, forced the Celtics to take bad
shots and Boston missed its first eight shots in the fourth.

The Cavs appeared in control and on their way to a runaway win
when Jamison's basket made it 91-74. But Pierce hit a 3-pointer
and Allen followed with one of his own as the Celtics, who went
scoreless for a span of 7:09 bridging the third and fourth
quarters, fought back.

James, though, converted a three-point play to put the Cavs back
in control and his two free throws put Cleveland up 101-89 with
2:03 left.

James then capped Cleveland's 29th home win by crossing over
Kendrick Perkins near the foul line, driving inside and dropping
a left-handed layup while being fouled. James seemed annoyed the
Celtics would have the audacity to put Perkins on him.

Rajon Rondo had 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists for
the Celtics.

The teams were meeting for the first time since Feb. 25, when
O'Neal hurt his thumb when he was fouled by Boston's Glen "Big
Baby" Davis. Cleveland fans have been angered by TV replays,
which appeared to show Davis grabbing and squeezing O'Neal's
thumb after the injury occurred.

Before the game, Davis strongly denied he tried to hurt O'Neal,
a fellow LSU product and a player he has always revered.

"I did not try to break Shaq's hand," Davis said. "That's crazy.
Why would I try to do that? I wasn't trying to grab his hand.
You know how you try to frustrate somebody or just mess with
them, get his balance off? That was a freak accident, really."

Davis was aware of the accusations.

"I heard about it," he said. "I don't even remember touching his
hand."

Davis was booed when he entered the game in the first quarter
and every time he touched the ball. He expected the rude
treatment.

"I'm not popular at all anywhere," he said.

Davis added to his villainous reputation in the second quarter
when he was faked off his feet and flattened Jamison, who was
setting up to shoot. In the third, he sent Varejao sprawling
into the front row with a shoulder bump.

With James guarding him, Pierce missed his first six shots and
didn't score until 1:51 remained before halftime. Pierce did
make three free throws in the final second to bring the Celtics
within 54-48 at the break.

Boston had to feel fortunate to be so close since Pierce and
Allen were a combined 3 of 14 from the field and Garnett was in
foul trouble with three personals.

NOTES: Since undergoing surgery, O'Neal been home in Florida.
James said he periodically checks in with his teammate. "I'm
giving him his space," he said, laughing. James isn't concerned
about the center not returning in tiptop shape. "He knows how to
police himself, literally," James said of O'Neal, who has
previously worked as an auxiliary policeman. "He'll be fine. He
knows what's at stake and he's not going to jeopardize himself
or jeopardize our team." ... Rondo needs 92 assists to pass Bob
Cousy's single-season team record. Cousy had 715 assists for the
Celtics in 1959-60.