LeBron posts 70th career triple-double

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — LeBron James' 70th career triple-double propelled the short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers to a 114-109 NBA victory over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday.

The win saw the Cavs finish a six-game road-trip 3-3 – despite the injury absences of Kevin Love, Rodney Hood, Kyle Korver, Larry Nance Jr., Cedi Osman and Tristan Thompson.

''For us to go 3-3 throughout everything as far as the injuries and available guys, I think it was a good trip for us,'' James said.

Coach Tyronn Lue also missed the second half of Saturday's game because of an undisclosed illness, but the Cavs – who led 69-52 at halftime – fended off the Bulls' late challenge to secure the win.

Trailing 85-81 going into the fourth period, Chicago tied the score twice in the final frame.

James' jump shot over Paul Zipser with 39 seconds left put the Cavs up by six, and on the Bulls' ensuing possession he rejected Cameron Payne's shot.

James finished with 33 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists, and became the sixth player to notch 70 triple-doubles in his career.

The Houston Rockets continued their push to claim the top seed in the West with a 107-101 victory over the Pelicans in New Orleans.

James Harden scored 32 points and pulled down 11 rebounds as the Rockets notched their 21st win in 22 games. Milwaukee 122 Atlanta 117 San Antonio 117, Minnesota 101 Brooklyn 114, Dallas 106 New York 124, Charlotte 101 Washington 109, Indiana 102 Portland 100, Detroit 87 Phoenix 109, Golden State 124 Utah 103, Sacramento 97 Chicago 109, Cleveland 114 Memphis 101, Denver 94 New Orleans 101, Houston 107