NBA wrap: LeBron James lifts to help Cleveland Cavaliers sink Chicago Bulls in overtime
LEBRON James exploded back to form as Cleveland recorded their first win of the NBA season. Check out our wrap of today’s games.
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LEBRON James exploded back to form after an indifferent opening game as Cleveland recorded their first win of the NBA season.
Check out our wrap of today’s games.
AUSSIES IN ACTION
Matthew Dellavedova contributed four assists, a block, a rebound and drew a crucial offensive foul late in his 29:32 minutes during the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 114-108 overtime defeat of Chicago.
The Cavs score 15 more points than the Bulls when Dellavedova was on the court, and he remained in the game despite a strong performance from fellow second-stringer Dion Waiters.
Cameron Bairstow wasn’t activated for the Bulls.
Aron Baynes made the most of the 12 minutes he spent on court for the San Antonio Spurs and six points, three rebounds and two assists in their 89-94 loss against Phoenix.
CHICAGO BULLS 108, CLEVELAND CAVALIERS 114
LeBron James bounced back from a sub-par performance in his Cleveland homecoming to score 36 points as the Cavaliers defeated Chicago 114-108 in overtime.
Cleveland’s loss to the New York Knicks wasn’t the season-opener James was hoping for but that was all forgotten at the United Center as the four-time most valuable player also had eight rebounds in the Cavaliers’ first win of the young NBA season.
It was a far cry from his 17 points and eight turnovers against the Knicks. That marked the first time in his career that he had at least eight turnovers, fewer than 20 points and fewer than five assists.
James was also much more active with the ball against the Bulls, driving 18 times to the basket compared to just four drives in his first game.
Tristan Thompson finished with 16 points with 13 rebounds and Kevin Love had a 16-point, 16-rebound double-double for Cleveland, who were 2-8 over their last 10 in Chicago. Thompson had a dozen offensive rebounds.
Kyrie Irving had 23 points in the win.
Derrick Rose scored 20 points for Chicago, but his first meaningful home game in about a year was spoiled by a sprained left ankle.
INDIANA PACERS 89, MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES 97
Zach Randolph scored 11 of his 22 points in the third quarter and added 13 rebounds to lead the Grizzlies to an eight-point win against Indiana.
Marc Gasol had 20 points and six rebounds and Mike Conley added 17 points for the Grizzlies, who are 2-0 for just the third time in franchise history. They now have a chance to open the season with three straight wins for the first time in history.
Chris Copeland came off the bench with 16 points and six rebounds and C.J. Miles finished with 13 for the shorthanded Pacers.
Conley and Randolph combined for 13 points in a 26-2 run by Memphis to take a 74-63 lead with 2:23 remaining in the third quarter.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS 81, PHILADELPHIA 76ERS 93
O.J Mayo scored 10 of his game-high 25 points in the fourth quarter, and rookie Jabari Parker had 11 points and 10 rebounds in his Milwaukee debut to lead the Bucks in their home opener.
Mayo’s three-pointer with 5:10 left put Milwaukee up 88-81. The veteran guard sparked a 7-0 run to start the fourth quarter with another three-pointers.
Parker scored nine in the first quarter on four of six shooting.
Larry Sanders grabbed 15 rebounds.
Rookie Nerlens Noel had 14 points and 10 boards for Philadelphia.
PHOENIX SUNS 94, SAN ANTONIO SPURS 89
Isaiah Thomas scored 10 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, rallying Phoenix with a relentless series of driving layups as the Suns beat the San Antonio Spurs 94-89.
Phoenix took its first lead when Thomas’ layup made it 88-87 with 3:34 to play. It was part of a 10-0 run that put the Suns up 92-87 on Markieff Morris’ dunk with 1:09 left.
Manu Ginobili made two of three free throws with 59.8 seconds left. Then San Antonio had a chance to tie at the finish.
But, with 6.5 seconds remaining Boris Diaw couldn’t get the ball inbounds and was called for a five-second violation.
Tony Parker scored 19 for the defending champion Spurs, but just three in the fourth quarter. Tim Duncan added 16.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS 111, LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS 118
Blake Griffin scored 39 points and went 11 for 12 from the free throw line, powering the Los Angeles Clippers to a gritty 118-111 victory over the winless Lakers.
DeAndre Jordan had 11 points and 13 rebounds during a foul-plagued 39 minutes, while Chris Paul had 12 points, 10 assists and two steals for the Clippers.
Jordan Hill scored 13 of his 21 points in the third quarter and Kobe Bryant had 21, but cost the Lakers down the stretch with his cold shooting.
Zach Randolph scored 11 of his 22 points in the third quarter and added 13 rebounds to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 97-89 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
Marc Gasol had 20 points and six rebounds and Mike Conley added 17 points for the Grizzlies, who are 2-0 for just the third time in franchise history.
Chris Copeland came off the bench with 16 points and six rebounds and C.J. Miles finished with 13 for the short-handed Pacers.
SACRAMENTO KINGS 103, PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS 94
Elsewhere, Rudy Gay scored 40 points to lift the Sacramento Kings over the Portland Trail Blazers 103-94.
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