Cavs top Nuggets

LeBron James scored 39 points, including nine down the stretch, and dished out 10 assists as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 113-108 on Wednesday night after squandering a 16-point lead.

James made one offbalanced shot after another in the waning minutes to turn back the Nuggets, who didn’t take their first lead of the game until 8:35 remaining on a driving layup by Mason Plumlee. Jeff Green gave Cleveland the lead for good with a 3-pointer on a play set up by James after he tapped a loose ball out to him.

It was that kind of night for James. He made a deep 3-pointer with 1:11 remaining, thumping himself in the chest in exuberance as he skipped down the court.

James wound up two rebounds shy of a triple-double as the Cavs began a sixgame trip in fine fashion.

Soccer

U.S. CLAIMES SHEBELIEVES CUP » The U.S. women’s national team beat England 1-0 on Wednesday night to win the SheBelieves Cup tournament.

In the earlier game at Orlando City Stadium, sixth-ranked France topped No. 2 Germany 3-0.

The United States finished atop the table at 2-0-1 while England was second at 1-1-1, ahead of defending champion France (1-1-1) on goal differential. Germany finished last at 0-2-1.

The top-ranked U.S. team beat third-ranked England on an own goal that came off of a cross from Megan Rapinoe in the 60th minute.

Endurance sports

TRIATHLETE ATTACKED WITH SAW » A South African athletic director said assailants attacked a top national triathlete who was cycling to a training session and cut into his legs with a saw, causing severe injuries.

Director Dennis Jackson said he spoke to 27-year-old Mhlengi Gwala after the attack before dawn on Tuesday in the coastal city of Durban.

Jackson said the attackers pulled Gwala off his bicycle and sawed into his right leg, damaging muscle, nerves and bone. Jackson added the saw missed a main artery and that surgeons are confident they can save the leg.

Jackson said the attackers also started sawing into Gwala’s left leg before stopping and fleeing.