Rested Cavs down Lakers, Dubs crush Blazers
A LITTLE rest did a world of good for the reigning NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers, who showed spring in their step in a 119-108 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday.
LeBron James scored 26 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter. Kyrie Irving had 21 points and matched his career high with 12 assists, and Kevin Love scored 27 points and pulled down 17 rebounds a night after Cavs coach Tyronn Lue rested the star trio.
Irving was back after a week off, having told Lue he had tired legs in last Saturday’s win over Charlotte.
“It was warranted,” Irving said. “How I felt, knowing the importance of what was coming up in the season, I think it was a great group decision in terms of the rest that was needed.”
The trend of resting star players who aren’t injured has sparked debate – in part as to whether it’s fair to fans – but Lue said Saturday he would consider resting Irving again.
“There will probably come another time [when] he’s going to need a little rest,” Lue said. “Right now, he’s feeling good and that’s the biggest thing.”
Western Conference powers Golden State improved their league-leading record to 24-4 with an emphatic 135-90 triumph over the Portland Trail Blazers in Oakland, California.
The 45-point margin of victory was the Warriors’ biggest of the season, sur- passing their 149-106 drubbing of the Lakers on November 23.
The Houston Rockets rallied to notch their 10th straight victory, 111-109 in overtime over the Minnesota Timberwolves. James Harden scored 10 of his 28 points in the extra period, handing out 13 assists with nine rebounds that left him one shy of a second triple-double in as many nights.
Westbrook’s 50th triple-double
Oklahoma City star Russell Westbrook was in familiar territory, notching the 50th triple-double of his career – and 13th this season – in the Thunder’s 114101 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
Days after Westbrook said he was tired of the talk about his streak of seven straight triple-doubles – which ended last weekend – he was at it again, pouring in 26 points with a career-high 22 assists and 11 rebounds. It was just the fifth time since 1983 that a player posted a triple-double that included at least 20 points and 20 assists.
New York star Carmelo Anthony called the Knicks’ game in Denver a “must win” but his 29 points weren’t enough for the visitors in a 127-114 loss to the Nuggets.
Kenneth Faried had a season-high 25 points and three blocked shots and Emmanuel Mudiay scored 22 for the Nuggets, who had seven players score in double figures.