Unbeaten Cavaliers survive 76ers scare
philadelphia — Lebron James scored 25 points, moving into 10th place on the NBA’s career list, and added 14 assists and eight rebounds as the unbeaten Cleveland Cavaliers held off the winless 76ers 102-101 in their NBA match on Saturday night.
The Cavs were pushed to the limit by the 76ers, but James doesn’t think that’s such a bad thing. “It’s always great to have these kinds of games,” James said.
Kevin Love added 20 points and 11 rebounds for the reigning champion Cavaliers, who improved to 6-0.
Coach Tyronn Lue wasn’t disappointed, either, that the result was so surprisingly close.
“We stayed poised,” Lue said. “We were tested tonight. Overall, I’m pleased to come out with a win when we had some adversity.” Joel Embiid scored 22 points, making all four of his 3-point attempts, but the 76ers dropped to 0-5. James passed Oklahoma 112 Minnesota 92 Cleveland 102 Philadelphia 101 Orlando 88 Washington 86 Detroit 103 Denver 86 Indiana 111 Chicago 94 Atlanta 112 Houston 97 Milwaukee 117 Sacramento 91 LA Clippers 116 San Antonio 92 Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon by converting a fast-break layup midway through the first quarter. Olajuwon finished his career with 26,946 points. James now 26,970.
It looked to be an easy night for the Cavaliers at that point. But the 76ers nearly shocked them. Channing Frye’s 3-pointer with 1:05 left gave the Cavaliers a 102-101 lead, however, and they were able to hold on.
In San Antonio, Blake Griffin scored a season-high 28 points as the Los Angeles Clippers handed San Antonio a second straight home loss, 116-92. —