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NBA: Washington 105, Cleveland 86

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Caron Butler scored a team-high 27 points Wednesday, leading the Washington Wizards' 105-86 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Washington raced out to a 53-34 halftime lead by outscoring Cleveland 31-13 in the second quarter and quelled repeated Cavalier comeback efforts in the second half.

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Antawn Jamison had 17 points and 12 rebounds, Brendan Haywood had 17 points and 10 rebounds, and reserve Nick Young had 14 points, two rebounds and two assists. Butler added seven rebounds and four steals for the Wizards, who were swept by the Cavaliers 4-0 in the first round of last season's Eastern Conference playoffs.

Cleveland was led by 13 points each from Daniel Gibson, Shannon Brown and Drew Gooden.

Zydrunas Igauskas had 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Ira Newble added 10 points, five rebounds and two steals for the Cavaliers, who played their fourth straight game without star guard/forward LeBron James (sprained left index finger).

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They have lost their last five games.

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