Cavs top Hawks, win 10th straight
LeBron James’ unusual midgame defensive switch was the hot topic after he helped Cleveland extend its winning streak.
James took command of a challenging defensive assignment and stuck around to see the end of the Cavaliers’ 10th straight victory, 121-114 over the host Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night.
James had 24 points and 12 assists, and Kevin Love finished with 25 points and 16 rebounds to help Cleveland hold off Atlanta to extend the NBA’s longest active winning streak. It was James’ 14th doubledouble in 22 games.
Dennis Schroder, who led Atlanta with 27 points, blew past Cavaliers guard Jose Calderon to score on three straight layups to give Atlanta a 67-58 lead late in the first half.
James (6 feet 8, 250 pounds) then took over primary defensive duties on Schroder (6-1, 172) to close the half and continued covering the super-quick guard in the second half.
“He was kicking our butts in the first half,” James said of Schroder. “My teammates asked me to take the challenge. I wanted the challenge.”
Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said the defensive switch “was big time for us.”
Even though James also guarded Schroder at times in Atlanta’s 117-115 win at Cleveland on Nov. 4, Schroder said the defensive switch was still a shock.
“It’s amazing when the best player in the world tries to stop you and tries to guard you,” Schroder said. “I still tried to be aggressive. It doesn’t mean that I have to stop playing. He’s a big body and it’s tough to just go past him.”
Schroder was held to 10 points in the second half while being shadowed by James.
“I don’t think anybody understands how tough that is,” Cleveland’s Dwyane Wade said about James’ defensive challenge.
“But that’s why LeBron’s one of the greatest players to play the game.”
Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert was set to have arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Friday morning. Shumpert was not available Tuesday night after playing seven minutes Monday night in a victory at Philadelphia. He’s averaging 4.8 points and 3.1 rebounds in 13 games this season.
Kyrie Irving scored 36 points, and host Boston held off weary and short-handed Philadelphia to improve its record to 19-4, best in the NBA. It was Irving’s fifth game this season with 30 or more points. Al Horford added 21 points and eight rebounds, and Marcus Morris had 17 points. The Celtics bounced back from a loss Monday to Detroit with their ninth victory in 11 games. Dario Saric led Philadelphia with 18 points. JJ Redick finished with 17, and Ben Simmons had 15. It was the third game in four nights for the 76ers, who have lost two of three.