Cavaliers pull out win against scrappy Pacers

By The Associated Press

Their regular-season issues followed the Cleveland Cavaliers into the playoffs. They didn’t win their postseason opener against Indiana as much as survive it.

LeBron James scored 32 points and Cleveland began the postseason by escaping with a 109- 108 victory against the Indiana Pacers Saturday at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

C.J. Miles could have won it for Indiana, but missed a 14-foot jumper just before the horn. Following the game, Miles sat silently at his locker in full uniform for 30 minutes before Larry Bird, the team’s president of basketball operations, came in and patted him on the shoulder.

James refused to acknowledge how different things would be if Miles’ shot had dropped. “He missed,” James said. “We won.”

Playing in his 200th playoff game, James added 13 assists and six rebounds while winning his 18th consecutive first-round game.

However, it was anything but easy as the Cavaliers, who had a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter, had to withstand a strong comeback by the Pacers.

Other games

Bucks 97, Raptors 83: Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 28 points and rookie Malcolm Brogdon had 16 as Milwaukee won at Toronto in Game 1.

Spurs 111, Grizzlies 82: Kawhi Leonard scored 32 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 20 as San Antonio pulled away from visiting Memphis to take a 1-0 series lead in the West.