James drains winner

LeBron James drove around Antonio Daniels, collided with Michael Ruffin and banked in a 4-footer on the way down with 5.7 seconds left.

Chalk up another milestone for the emerging legend: He made his first game-winning shot in the playoffs.

James scored a franchise playoff-record 41 points Friday night, including two tough shots in the paint in the final minute. In a thrilling one-on-one fourth-quarter duel between two young stars, James had the final say over Gilbert Arenas in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 97-96 victory over the Washington Wizards at Washington.

“We are two All-Stars,” James said. “We don’t want our teams to lose the game. It was unfortunate that one team had to lose, but I am happy I was on the winning side. It was a great performance by myself and Gilbert.”

Larry Hughes, who had been struggling all series, scored eight of his 16 points in the fourth quarter for the Cavaliers, who lead the series 2-1.

Arenas finished with 34 points, while Caron Butler had 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Wizards.

Kings 94, Spurs 93: At Sacramento, Calif., Kevin Martin tossed in a fastbreak layup over Tim Duncan as time expired to lift the Kings in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.

Mike Bibby scored 25 points for the Kings.

Duncan, who blocked six shots, scored 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.

San Antonio leads the series 2-1.

Lakers 99, Suns 92: Kobe Bryant had plenty of help from his friends.

Bryant was held to 17 points but Lamar Odom had 15 points and 17 rebounds, Luke Walton added 17 points and 10 boards, and Los Angeles defeated visiting Phoenix.

The victory gave the upstart Lakers a 2-1 lead in the series.

Memphis’ Miller top sub

Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Miller has won the NBA’s Sixth Man Award after making the transition from starter to key reserve.

Miller led the NBA in scoring off the bench this season, averaging 13.7 points. He ranked second in scoring for the Grizzlies and was second in rebounding with a 5.4 average. He also tied for third in assists.

Miller came off the bench in 65 of his 74 games in the regular season, scoring in double figures 54 times.

Heat’s Posey suspended

Miami forward James Posey was suspended for one game without pay by the NBA for knocking down Chicago’s Kirk Hinrich on a break Thursday night in the Heat’s 109-90 playoff loss to the Bulls.

Posey, called for a flagrant foul two and ejected with 3:15 left in the game, will miss Game 4 of the Eastern Conference series Sunday.

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Ratner, 79, dies

Harvey Ratner, one of the two businessmen who brought the NBA back to Minnesota, has died after a yearlong bout with cancer. He was 79.

Ratner owned the Minnesota Timberwolves with Marv Wolfenson until selling the team in 1994. He died at his home in St. Louis Park, Minn.