James’ triple-double leads Cavs over Grizzlies
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Cleveland revamped its roster at the trade deadline. The Cavaliers’ leader didn’t change.
LeBron James had 18 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists in his 11th triple-double of the season, and the Cavaliers pulled away after a slow start to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 112-89 on Friday night.
George Hill also scored 18 points, while Larry Nance Jr. finished with 15 and Jordan Clarkson had 14 as the newcomers had good nights in the Cavaliers’ fifth win in the last six games. The only loss in the stretch was on Thursday night to the Washington Wizards.
“It’s just us communicating, talking. That’s it,” Clarkson said of the Cavaliers’ adjustments to new teammates. “Coaches have us in early before practice running plays. We’re trying to get comfortable with everything still. Trying to get comfortable with all the calls. We’ve got a ways to go, but we’re coming.”
Tyreke Evans and JaMychal Green each had 15 points for Memphis, with Evans also dishing out 10 assists and Green grabbing 10 rebounds. Marc Gasol had 14 points and nine rebounds.
The Cavs showed a bit of fatigue to start the game, perhaps a dose of travel hangover from getting to town late after Thursday’s loss.
“A lot of our guys were — I don’t want to say tired, but sleepy,” James said, adding: “For us to come out with the energy we had for the most part of 48 minutes is a good game for us.”
Cleveland trailed by double digits early, but outscored Memphis 58-40 in the second half, sending the Grizzlies to their eighth straight loss. Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said the difference was a change in defensive intensity after Cleveland’s early struggles gave the Grizzlies a lead that reached 13 in the first quarter.
“During timeouts, I was telling the guys — especially at halftime — ‘I don’t know how we’re up, but we’re up after playing a bad half of basketball,’” Lue said, adding that the second half was much better defensively. Kyrie Irving scored 18 points and rookie Daniel Theis added a careerhigh 19 to lift Boston to a road victory over Detroit. Boston took control by outscoring the Pistons 38-21 in the second quarter. Blake Griffin scored 17 points for Detroit but shot just 5 of 19 from the field.
James Harden scored 31 points and Houston won its 11th straight game with a home victory over Minnesota, who lost All-Star Jimmy Butler to an apparent right knee injury. After grabbing a rebound late in the third quarter, Butler pivoted and planted hard on his right foot before collapsing and grabbing his right knee. Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau said early evaluations by the team’s medical staff were inconclusive and that Butler will undergo an MRI on Saturday.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 26 points and 12 rebounds, and Milwaukee snapped Toronto’s seven-game win streak with an overtime road victory. DeMar DeRozan scored 33 points for the Raptors. Frank Kaminsky scored a season-high 25 points, Kemba Walker had 20 of his 24 points in the second half as Charlotte beat Washington on the road.