LeBron earns first ejection

LEBRON James lost his cool. Kevin Love and Cavaliers stayed just as hot.

Incensed at not getting a foul called on a drive to the basket, James was ejected for the first time in his illustrious career on Tuesday night, tossed in the third quarter of Cleveland’s 108-97 victory over the Heat.

Love scored 32 of his 38 points in the first half and James added 21 as the Cavaliers extended their winning streak to nine.

With the Cavs leading by 23, James, who had attempted just one free throw at that point, drove the length of the floor and drew contact from Miami’s James Johnson and Dion Waiters. When he didn’t hear a whistle, James screamed and gestured toward referee Ken Fitzgerald, who quickly called a technical and pointed for the three-time champion to leave the floor.

It was the first time James had been thrown out in 1,082 career NBA games, and he said it was a first since he started playing basketball as a boy in Akron.

GAROPPOLO TO START

The San Francisco 49ers will start Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback this week.

l Oakland receiver Michael Crabtree and Denver cornerback Aqib Talib had their two-game suspensions reduced to one game after appeal hearings on Tuesday. Their fight during Oakland’s 21-14 victory on Sunday was a continuation of a dispute that started last season.

CLEMSON BACK ON TOP

Clemson is No. 1, followed by Auburn, Oklahoma and Wisconsin in the last College Football Playoff rankings before the semifinals are set by the selection committee on Sunday. Alabama fell from No. 1 to fifth after losing to Auburn.

l Former Jets coach Herm Edwards has emerged as a serious candidate to become the head coach at Arizona State, ESPN reports. Edwards, 63, will interview with the school this week, he confirmed to the network.

FSU TOPS RUTGERS

CJ Walker scored 24 points and Phil Cofer added 19 to lead unbeaten Florida State past host Rutgers 78-73. Eugene Omoruyi scored 22 points to lead Rutgers (6-1).