LeBron dominates as Cleveland opens title defense in style
CLEVELAND — LeBron James had his 43rd career triple-double, Kyrie Irving scored 29 points, and the Cleveland Cavaliers, who raised their championship banner and received their rings before the game, beat the New York Knicks 117-88 on Tuesday night in the NBA season opener.
James scored 19 points and added 11 rebounds and 14 assists in front of a raucous home crowd that was on its feet from the pregame ceremony until late in the game, celebrating the city’s first championship in 52 years.
James, who spoke to the crowd before the game, continued his perfect record on ring nights. He was 2-0 when Miami Heat players were presented with their championship rings.
Irving scored 19 points in the third quarter, when Cleveland used a 20-4 run to take a 74-53 lead. Kevin Love scored 23 for the Cavaliers.
Carmelo Anthony led New York with 19 points, and Derrick Rose had 17.
Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert was taken to the locker room late in the third quarter with concussion-like symptoms after colliding with Kristaps Porzingis.
The Knicks, who missed the playoffs the last three seasons, are expecting major improvement after hiring former Suns coach Jeff Hornacek, acquiring Rose from Chicago to run the offense and signing center Joakim Noah, who was scoreless in 21 minutes.
BLAZERS 113, JAZZ 104
Damian Lillard scored 39 points on 13 of 20 shoot- ing, C.J. McCollum added 25 points, and Portland rallied to defeat visiting Utah.
Joe Johnson scored 29 points on 12 of 16 shooting, and Rodney Hood added 26 points to lead the Jazz.