LeBron takes charge in win
LeBron James scored 46 points and added 12 rebounds as the Cavaliers bounced back from a loss in the opener by holding off the Pacers 100- 97 to even their first- round playoff series at 1- 1.
James was in attack mode from the start by scoring 29 points in the first half.
The Pacers came back and got within three in the closing minute, but Victor Oladipo missed a wide- open three- pointer.
Kevin Love ( 15 points) injured his left hand late in the fourth quarter, but head coach Tyronn
Lue said Love will be “ready to go” for Game 3.
◆ Rookie Donovan Mitchell scored 13 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter to help the Jazz defeat the Thunder 102- 95 and tie their Western Conference playoff series at 1- 1.
The Thunder had two chances in the final minute to trim Utah’s lead with the Jazz leading 99- 95, but Carmelo Anthony missed three- pointers on back- to- back possessions. Russell Westbrook had 19 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds for the Thunder.
◆ Chris Paul had 27 points and Gerald Green came off the bench to score 21 as the Rockets used a huge second quarter to cruise past the Timberwolves 102- 82 and take a 2- 0 lead in the first- round series. Houston fell behind early, but went on top for good with a 37- point second quarter, powered by four three- pointers from Green, and the Wolves didn’t threaten again.
◆ All- Star center Joel Embiid is doubtful for Game 3 of the 76ers’ first- round series against the Miami Heat on Thursday.
◆ Erin Popovich, the wife of Spurs head coach Gregg Popov
ich died. She was 67 and had been battling an illness for an extended period.
◆ TNT analyst Kenny Smith will interview for the Knicks’ head- coaching job on Friday, according to ESPN.