James, Irving shine
Duo nets 81 points combined in win
By The Associated Press
On a record-breaking night when Kyrie Irving and LeBron James combined for 81 points, it was fitting that the biggest shot belonged to Kyle Korver.
Irving scored 43 points, James had 38 and the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers set the NBA regular-season record with 25 3-pointers as they turned back Atlanta’s late rally to beat the Hawks 135-130 on Friday night.
After Paul Millsap’s baseline jumper over James cut Cleveland’s lead to 124123, Korver — who was traded from Atlanta to the Cavaliers on Jan. 7 — hit the record- breaking 3pointer.
“Kyle knocked it down when it mattered the most,” said Atlanta’s Tim Hardaway Jr. “That’s why he’s one of the best shooters.”
Cleveland made 25 of 46 3s to break a record that stood less than three months. Houston made 24 treys in a 122-100 win over New Orleans on Dec. 16.
James, who made six of 10 3s, had 13 rebounds and eight assists.
“It was great to be a part of a record-setting night, and it’s even better that Kyle was the one to hit the record back in the building that he played so many seasons in,” James said.
Korver hugged many of his former teammates during pregame warmups and was cheered by fans, some wearing his Hawks jersey, when he entered the game with 3:16 remaining in the first quarter.
Cleveland’s biggest lead was 25 points. The Hawks made things interesting by outscoring the Cavaliers, 4229, in the fourth period.
Other games
Raptors 114, Wizards 106: DeMar DeRozan scored 32 points, in Toronto’s victory at Washington.
76ers 105, Knicks 102: Justin Anderson made the go-ahead basket with 24.3 seconds left in Philadelphia’s victory against New York.
Bucks 112, Clippers 101: Giannis Antetokounmpo had 24 points and eight assists, and Milwaukee held off visiting Los Angeles.
Magic 110, Heat 99: Nikola Vucevic scored 25 points and Aaron Gordon had 21 points and 10 rebounds to help host Orlando beat Miami.