REBOOTED CAVS WIN
LeBron James scores triple-double to start Cleveland’s reboot with win over Atlanta
LeBron James had a triple-double and Kyle Korver scored a season-high 30 points, including four straight 3-pointers to close the third period, as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Atlanta Hawks 123-107 on Friday night for a successful start to their reboot.
One day after unloading six players, including guards Isaiah Thomas and Dwyane Wade, in three trades, the Cavaliers were in a state of transition. They had only nine available players against the Hawks, but Korver more than made up for a short bench.
Korver, the former Hawks fan favorite, made 7 of 13 from 3-point range and finished two points from matching his career high of 32.
James had 22 points, 17 assists and 12 rebounds. Jeff Green, also coming off the bench, had 24 points.
Kyle Korver scores season high 30 points to help Cleveland’s win
Newcomers George Hill, Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr. and Rodney Hood joined the Cavs, but remained in the locker room during the game. They are expected to make their debuts with Cleveland on Sunday in Boston. BLAZERS 118, KINGS 100 In Sacramento, Damian Lillard scored 22 of his season-high 50 points in the third quarter, and Portland beat Sacramento.
Lillard scored at will, making 16 of 26 shots — including eight 3-pointers — and all 10 of his freethrow attempts. He reached the half-century mark by the end of the third period and sat the entire fourth.
Lillard, who also had six assists, joined teammate CJ McCollum and Houston’s James Harden as the only players to score 50 points through three quarters this season.
Dwyane Wade returns to Miami by helping Heat snap losing streak
Willie Cauley-Stein had 19 points and six rebounds, and Zach Randolph added 17 points and nine boards for Sacramento. HEAT 91, BUCKS 85 In Miami, Dwyane Wade returned with a quiet game, but his mere presence got a rise out of Heat fans, and teammates Hassan Whiteside and Tyler Johnson led the way as Miami snapped a fivegame losing streak and capped a celebratory night.
Wade came off the bench to score three points on 1-of-6 shooting with two assists, one rebound, a key late block, and four turnovers in 22 minutes in his first game since being acquired in a trade from Cleveland on Thursday. Wade played 13 seasons and won three NBA championships with the Heat before leaving as a free agent for Chicago in 2016.