Chicago takes advantage of James-less Cavs again
CLEVELAND — Dwyane Wade scored 20 points and Jimmy Butler recorded a triple-double, leading the Chicago Bulls to a 117-99 victory Saturday night over the Cleveland Cavaliers, who played without LeBron James.
James missed the game with strep throat, and coach Tyronn Lue said he wasn’t sure how long the Cavaliers would be without the four-time MVP. Cleveland struggled as it often does without its star — the Cavs are 4-19 without him since he returned to Cleveland in 2014, including 0-4 this season. Chicago has won all three games against Cleveland this season.
Free agent guard Deron Williams has cleared waivers and told the Cavaliers he intends to sign with them. The five-time All-Star was waived earlier this week by Dallas. He cannot sign with the Cavs until Monday.
HEAT 113, PACERS 95: In Miami, Hassan Whiteside scored 22 points and grabbed 17 rebounds, Dion Waiters added 22 points and the red-hot Heat pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat Indiana.
Goran Dragic added 21 points and James Johnson had 15 for Miami, which outscored Indiana 30-16 in the fourth.
The Pacers played most of the second half without All-Star forward Paul George, who was ejected after getting two technicals on separate plays early in the third quarter.
It was the 16th win in the last 18 games for the surging Heat. George has appeared in 20 games at Miami, with the Pacers going 2-18 in those — including losses in each of the last 11.
MAVERICKS 96, PELICANS 83: In Dallas, Harrison Barnes scored 19 points and Dirk Nowitzki had 18 points and nine rebounds as Dallas ended a three-game losing streak.
The Pelicans fell to 0-2 since trading for DeMarcus Cousins and pairing him with Anthony Davis.
HORNETS 99, KINGS 85: In Sacramento, Calif., Frank Kaminsky had 23 points and 13 rebounds as Charlotte beat Sacramento to end a five-game losing streak.
Charlotte led by 23 points in the second half while ending its 12-game road skid.
Ben McLemore led the Kings with 18 points.
MAGIC 105, HAWKS 86: In Orlando, Fla., Terrence Ross scored 24 points, Nikola Vucevic had 16 points and 14 rebounds and the Magic beat Atlanta to snap a two-game skid.
KNICKS 110, 76ERS 109: In New York, Carmelo Anthony made a jumper with 0.3 seconds left to give the Knicks a win over Philadelphia after New York had blown a 17-point lead.
ROCKETS 142, TIMBERWOLVES 130: In Houston, James Harden had 24 points and 10 assists to lead the Rockets over Minnesota as both teams set season scoring highs.
WARRIORS 112, NETS 95: In Oakland, Calif., Stephen Curry scored 27 points on a night Kevin Durant missed his first game of the season with a hand injury, and Golden State clinched a playoff berth. Durant sat out with a bruised left hand.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson scored 16 points in the Nets’ 16th straight defeat.