CLEVELAND ? Anderson Varejao's first career three-pointer proved the perfect birthday gift for Cavaliers teammate LeBron James.

Varejao knocked down the three with 17.2 seconds to play to help secure Cleveland's 106-101 NBA victory over Atlanta on Wednesday, insuring that James's 48-point performance wasn't in vain.

James, who turned 25 on Wednesday, notched his season high, and added 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who claimed their 11th victory in 12 games.

The score was knotted at 101-101 and the shot clock was winding down when Brazil's Varejao got the ball. He stepped up and made the long-range shot, prompting James to embrace him.

Atlanta's Mike Bibby then missed a three-point attempt with six seconds remaining, and Cleveland's Jamario Moon made two free throws to seal it.

Joe Johnson scored 35 for the Hawks, who were managed just 37 points in the second half.

Varejao's key shot was first ruled a two-pointer, but after a video review officials determined his feet were behind the three-point line.

The Cavaliers, who beat the Hawks in Atlanta on Tuesday, looked out of sorts much of the night and trailed by 17 in the third quarter.

They narrowed the gap with a 22-7 scoring run, but were down 85-77 going into the final quarter.

It all came good, however, to give James another reason to celebrate.

At 25, he can already look back on an impressive array of accomplishments, among them a number one overall draft pick, NBA Rookie of the Year, five-time All-Star, Olympic gold medalist and league Most Valuable Player.

James' 13,927 points before turning 25 were more than any player in NBA history. Carmelo Anthony (10,768) was second followed by Kobe Bryant (10,658).

"It's amazing," Cavs coach Mike Brown said of James. "You know how they say a young person has an old soul? Well, he's got an old game. It's athletic, powerful and energetic. The whole nine yards. It feels like he's been doing it forever."