NEW YORK: LeBron James made a triumphant return to Cleveland and received a standing ovation from supportive fans before leading the Los Angeles Lakers over the Cavaliers 109-105 on Wednesday.
James scored 32 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and made seven assists to spark the Lakers, who closed the contest with an 18-6 run to win for the sixth time in seven games.
“We cranked up our defence in the fourth quarter,” James said. “They played a heck of a game but we kept our composure. We’re a young crew. We keep getting better.”
It was an emotional night for James in his first game back leaving the Cavaliers for the Lakers in July, but nothing like his 2010 return after departing Cleveland for Miami and fans, feeling betrayed, booed him.
He left Miami for the Cavs in 2014 and made good on his vow to make the Cavs into champions, so “King” James was treated royally this time.
There were cheers when James trotted onto the court for pre-game warm-ups, a huge standing ovation when he was introduced and, after James scored on the Lakers’ first possession, a video highlight tribute to huge applause.
“To come back and get the reception I got, it means a lot not only to myself but my family,” James said.
“My 11 years I played for this franchise I tried to give everything I could on and off the court.”
The Lakers improved to 10-7, their best record since April 2013, while the Cavs fell to an NBA-worst 2-14.
Thunder rout Warriors
Reigning NBA champion Golden State suffered a fourth consecutive loss for the first time since 2013 — 450 games ago — as the Warriors fell at home to Oklahoma City 123-95.
Thunder guard Russell Westbrook had 11 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists for his 105th career triple double.
German reserve Dennis Schroder scored a game-high 32 points, with Durant and Klay Thompson each hitting 27 for the Warriors, who lacked injured Stephen Curry.
“I think we can be really great,” said Schroder. “Defensively we give people problems. We just need to keep working and getting better.”
Oklahoma City won for the 11th time in 13 games, a 25-4 Thunder run in the fourth quarter breaking open a tight game.
Two 20-year-old Thunder guards left with injuries, Terrance Ferguson in the first quarter with a left ankle sprain and Hamidou Diallo carried off on a stretcher with a severe leg injury in the fourth.
Cameroonian centre Joel Embiid outshined New Orleans big man Anthony Davis to power the Philadelphia 76ers over the Pelicans 121-120.
Embiid fouled Davis on a 3-point shot with two seconds remaining. Davis hit two free throws but missed the third and Embiid batted away the rebound to keep the Sixers unbeaten at home (10-0) with a fourth consecutive win. Embiid finished with game highs of 31 points and 19 rebounds with two blocked shots while Davis had 12 points, 16 rebounds, five steals and five blocked shots.
Australian Ben Simmons had 22 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the 76ers. E’Twaun Moore and Jrue Holiday each had 30 points for New Orleans.
Jonas Valanciunas scored 24 points and Kyle Lowry had 21 points, 17 assists and 12 rebounds to spark the NBA-best Toronto Raptors over host Atlanta 124-108.
James Harden scored 43 points and Clint Capela added 27 points and 15 rebounds to power the Houston Rockets over visiting Detroit 126-124.
Bucks rip Trail Blazers
Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo had 33 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists to power Milwaukee over Portland 143-100, improving the Bucks to an NBA second-best 13-4 and dropping the Trail Blazers from the Western Conference lead.
Memphis edged San Antonio 104-103 on two Marc Gasol free throws with 0.7 of a second remaining to seize the West lead.
Harrison Barnes scored 28 points to lead Dallas over Brooklyn 119-113 while Paul Millsap scored 25 in Denver’s 103-101 victory at Minnesota.
Zach LaVine scored 29 points in a 124-116 victory over Phoenix while Willie Cauley-Stein led Sacramento with 23 in a 119-110 win at Utah.
Trey Burke had 29 points to lead New York over Boston 117-109 while Jeremy Walker’s 21 points led Charlotte over Indiana 127-109. — AFP
NBA results
Charlotte bt Indiana 127-109
Philadelphia bt New Orleans 121-120
Toronto bt Atlanta 124-108
New York bt Boston 117-109
LA Lakers bt Cleveland 109-105
Chicago bt Phoenix 124-116
Houston bt Detroit 126-124
Milwaukee bt Portland 143-100
Denver bt Minnesota 103-101
Dallas bt Brooklyn 119-113
Memphis bt San Antonio 104-103
Sacramento bt Utah 119-110
Oklahoma City bt Golden State 123-95
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