LeBron’s lesson to Simmons and co
LEBRON James had his 58th NBA triple- double and the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied in the fourth quarter to beat Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers 105- 98 yesterday.
Despite shooting just 39.1 per cent from the field, James had 30 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists to help the Cavaliers bounce back from a loss in Indiana that ended their 13game winning streak.
Rookie Simmons, who ended the game with 14 points, six rebounds and 10 assists, scored with a breakaway dunk to give Philadelphia a 96- 91 lead, but the Cavaliers ended the game on a 14- 2 run.
James converted a threepoint play and Kyle Korver hit a three- pointer, giving Cleveland the lead.
Dwyane Wade added two baskets and Jae Crowder’s three- pointer put the Cavaliers ahead 104- 98.
James had nine points, seven rebounds and six assists in the fourth quarter in his third triple- double of the season.
Covington and J. J. Redick scored 19 points each for Philadelphia. Both starting centres missed the game.
Joel Embiid sat out for Philadelphia because he hasn’t been cleared to play on back- toback nights and Kevin Love didn’t play because of a sore left hip.
Elsewhere, Jordan Clarkson scored 14 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter and the Los Angeles Lakers pulled away late to defeat the short- handed Charlotte Hornets 110- 99.
Lou Williams hit a go- ahead three- pointer with a little over a second remaining in the game to give the Los Angeles Clippers a 113- 112 victory over the Washington Wizards.
Goran Dragic and Tyler Johnson each scored 20 points and Miami beat the Brooklyn Nets 101- 89 in the Heat’s first game in Mexico, played in front of 19,777 fans at raucous Arena Ciudad de Mexico.