LeBron, Love power Cavs over Raptors
Field Level Media: LeBron James hit two free throws with 7.8 seconds left and finished with 35 points, 17 assists and seven rebounds to lead the host Cleveland Cavaliers to a 132-129 win over the Eastern Conference-leading Toronto Raptors on Wednesday.
Kevin Love scored 23 points and George Hill had 22 points on 10-of-11 shooting for the Cavaliers, who won their third straight and posted a fourth victory in five games.
Kyle Lowry had 24 points and DeMar DeRozan had 21 to lead the Raptors, who came into the game winners of 19 of 21 but have now lost two of three. Dwight Howard totaled 32 points and 30 rebounds while Kemba Walker converted the go-ahead three-point play with 18.3 seconds remaining as visiting Charlotte overcame a 23-point deficit and stunned Brooklyn.
Howard had the NBA’s first 30-30 game since Kevin Love had one in November 2010, and only the second since Moses Malone achieved the feat in 1982. DeAndre Jordan had 25 points and 22 rebounds as visiting Los Angeles snapped a four-game losing streak by beating Milwaukee, which saw All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo leave the game in the second quarter after turning his right ankle. JJ Redick, Marco Belinelli, Dario Saric and Robert Covington scored 15 points apiece, and Philadelphia cruised past depleted Memphis in Philadelphia.
The Sixers won their fourth in a row and reached the 40-win plateau for the first time since the 2010-11 season. Philadelphia needs two more wins to finish above .500 for the first time since the 2004-05 campaign. Miami’s high-flying offense soared over visiting New York as the Heat won for the ninth time in their past 10 home games, including six straight, and improved to 2213 at home.
The Heat, seventh in the Eastern Conference playoff race, have averaged 115 points per game since the AllStar break. Anthony Davis had 28 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks as New Orleans held off visiting Indiana.
E’Twaun Moore added 23 points, Nikola Mirotic scored 15 and Jrue Holiday, scored 10 as the Pelicans won their third consecutive game.