CAVS RESPOND, ROUT CLIPPERS

cleveland» LeBron James scored 22 points and had 12 assists and J.R. Smith made six 3-pointers as the Cavaliers took care of one of the Western Conference’s top teams, routing the Clippers 115-102 on Thursday.

Kevin Love added 18 points and 16 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who played their first home game since being embarrassed in a 34-point loss to Golden State on Monday in a rematch of last year’s NBA Finals. The Cavaliers bounced back with a win at Brooklyn on Wednesday — but the Nets aren’t the Clippers, who were 11-1 in their past 12 games entering Thursday.

Kyrie Irving scored 21 points for Cleveland, which has won 13-of-14 against Los Angeles.

Chris Paul scored 30 points and J.J. Redick added 17 for the Clippers. Los Angeles made only six 3-pointers after knocking down 22 on Monday against Houston. The Clippers played again without star forward Blake Griffin (torn quadriceps).

Cleveland is in a stretch where it will play 10-of-13 games at home, and the Cavaliers are 16-2 at home this season.

THURSDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS

Anthony Davis’ 32 points helped the Pelicans beat the Pistons 115-99 for their fourth victory in five games. Tyreke Evans had 22 points and 10 assists for the Pelicans, who raced to a 72-53 halftime lead and never allowed Detroit to get closer than nine points the rest of the way. The game was the first for New Orleans since starting guard Eric Gordon was ruled out for four to six weeks because of a fractured ring finger in his shooting hand. Norris Cole was moved into the starting lineup and responded with 12 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Ryan Anderson scored 13 points and Omer Asik contributed 12. Andre Drummond had 19 points and 22 rebounds for Detroit, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 23 and Brandon Jennings had 20.

FOOTNOTES

Kidd close to returning. The Bucks said Jason Kidd probably will resume his coaching duties Tuesday against the Magic. Kidd has been recovering from hip surgery Dec. 21. He has missed the past 15 games. The Bucks (19-25) have gone 8-7 without Kidd and have two games remaining on their road trip. ... The Grizzlies signed Ryan Hollins, a veteran center from UCLA, to a 10-day contract. Hollins is in his third stint with Memphis this season. The Associated Press