CLEVELAND — Mo Williams made two free throws with nine seconds left and Delonte West made the kind of plays down the stretch reserved for LeBron James as the Cleveland Cavaliers won without their superstar, beating the San Antonio Spurs 97-95 on Monday night.

Williams finished with 17 points for the Cavs, playing their second straight game without the injured James. The NBA’s reigning MVP is nursing a tender right ankle and the Cavs are being extra cautious. West had 16 points and made a key steal in the final minute as Cleveland became the first team to reach 50 wins this season.

Manu Ginobili scored a season-high 38 points to lead the Spurs, playing their first game without guard Tony Parker. He’s out six weeks with a broken hand.

The Cavs were 0-9 in the past three years without James, who twisted his ankle on Friday against Detroit. If it was the post-season, James would be on the floor but Cavs coach Mike Brown wants to give his All-Star forward as much rest as necessary. Cleveland doesn’t play again until Friday and Brown is taking advantage of the break in the schedule to rest James.

The Cavs may suddenly have more to worry about than James.

Forward Antawn Jamison left late in the third quarter with an apparent left knee injury and did not return. The team only said that Jamison, acquired last month in a trade from Washington, had stiffness behind his knee.

Cleveland is already without centre Shaquille O’Neal, who isn’t expected to return until the playoffs after undergoing thumb surgery.

West stole a pass intended for Ginobili with 55 seconds left and was fouled by San Antonio’s guard. He made both free throws to put Cleveland up 93-90 with 52.8 seconds left.

After San Antonio missed two potential game-tying threes, Ginobili hit a tough step-back jumper that was ruled a two-pointer. The officials checked the TV monitors to make sure it wasn’t a three, and as they reviewed the play, Ginobili watched it on the giant overhead scoreboard. When he saw it wasn’t a three, Ginobili clenched his fists in disgust and spun on his heels.

Williams’ two free throws made it 95-92 and the Spurs called time to set up a play. They ran it to perfection with Ginobili passing the ball out top to Roger Mason, but he missed his eighth consecutive three-pointer and Anderson Varejao was fouled.

Cleveland’s big man made both free throws and Ginobili made a three — the one he needed moments earlier — just before the horn.

Jamison scored 17, Jawad Williams 13 and J.J. Hickson 12, including two big free throws with 1:05 left that put the Cavs ahead 91-90. West added six rebounds, five assists and three steals.
George Hill started for Parker and scored 23. Tim Duncan had 13 points for the Spurs, who had their winning streak stopped at four.

The Spurs were excited to learn Parker will not need surgery, increasing the odds the speedy guard will be back at some point in the playoffs.

“I guess it makes me feel better,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.

Unhappy with his club’s defence, an irate Popovich tore into his players during a timeout late in the first quarter.

His arms flailing and his face reddening with every word, Popovich yelled and screamed from his seat. Before play resumed, he benched DeJuan Blair and Richard Jefferson and replaced them with reserves Malik Hairston and Ian Mahinmi, who entered the game having played a combined 158 minutes all season.

Jefferson was in trouble again in the second, drawing Popovich’s wrath after he allowed Jamison to drive baseline and score on an easy scoop shot.

Cavaliers forward Anthony Parker dislocated his left ring finger in the first quarter but returned. He finished with eight points in 21 minutes.

NOTES: James didn’t join his teammates on the bench until two minutes had expired in the first quarter. The crowd barely stirred when James, wearing a stylish, blue pinstriped suit and two-toned saddle shoes, strolled in fashionably late. He was dressed like a coach and it wasn’t long before he joined Cavs coach Mike Brown and his assistants in the huddle during a timeout. ... The Cavs have swept the season series against San Antonio two of the last three years. The two teams meet again March 26 in San Antonio.