James scores 41, Cavs top Celtics
BOSTON — LeBron James scored a season-high 41 points, and the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied from a 19-point deficit to beat the Boston Celtics 122-121 on Friday night.
James made one of two free throws with 36 seconds left to give Cleveland that one-point lead. The Celtics then lost the ball out of bounds, but Kyrie Irving missed a layup and Avery Bradley rebounded for Boston, which called timeout with 7 seconds to go.
But the Celtics couldn’t get a shot off as Rajon Rondo, who finished with 16 assists, lost control of his dribble near the top of the key just before the final buzzer sounded.
Irving had 27 points and Kevin Love added 12 points and 15 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who earned their third straight win.
OTHER GAMES
Jazz 102, Knicks 100 at New York: Trey Burke made a jumper from the corner as time expired, giving the Utah a thrilling victory over the New York Knicks, who got an NBA season-high 46 points from Carmelo Anthony.
Spurs 93, Lakers 80 at Los Angeles: Tim Duncan had 13 points and 11 rebounds, Cory Joseph scored seven of his 13 points in the fourth quarter and San Antonio earned its third straight victory. Kobe Bryant scored nine points for the Lakers, going 1 for 14 in one of the worst shooting games of his 19-year NBA career. The NBA’s leading scorer missed his first 10 shots and all five of his 3-point attempts.
Pistons 96, Thunder 89 (OT) at Oklahoma City: Brandon Jennings scored 25 of his 29 points in the second half and overtime, leading Detroit over the Oklahoma City. Jeremy Lamb set career highs with 24 points and 10 rebounds for the Thunder, and Reggie Jackson had 20 points and 12 assists.
Rockets 88, 76ers 87 at Philadelphia: James Harden scored 35 points, including an off-balance layup with 9 seconds left, to keep Philadelphia winless. The Sixers led by one point before Michael Carter-Williams bounced the ball off his foot and out of bounds to give Houston the ball.
Nuggets 108, Pacers 87 at Indianapolis: Ty Lawson had 11 points and 10 assists, and Denver earned its first road win and just its second victory of the season. Denver had seven players score in double figures and shot 49 percent (43 of 87) from the floor. A.J. Price scored 14 for Indiana.
Hawks 114, Heat 103 at Atlanta: Paul Millsap and Al Horford each scored 19 points to help Atlanta record its fourth straight win. Mario Chalmers finished with 23 points and a game-high 11 assists, and former Memphis Tiger Shawne Williams scored 21 points as Miami lost its second straight. Dwyane Wade did not play due to a strained left hamstring.
Magic 101, Bucks 85 at Orlando, Fla: Tobias Harris had 26 points as Orlando earned its 17th consecutive home win against Milwaukee. Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 19 points for the Bucks.
Pelicans 139, Timberwolves 91 at New Orleans: Jrue Holiday missed one shot while scoring 24 points through three quarters, and New Orleans set franchise records for point total, 56 made field goals, 66.7 percent shooting and 48-point margin of victory.
Hornets 103, Suns 95 at Phoenix: Kemba Walker scored 12 of his 19 points in the second half, and Charlotte rallied to beat Phoenix. Eric Bledsoe had 22 points and matched a career high with 11 rebounds for the Suns.
DEVELOPMENT
Young’s mother dies: Minnesota Timberwolves forward Thaddeus Young will miss at least the next two games because of his mother’s death. The Timberwolves said Friday that Lulu Hall died Thursday in Memphis.
Young, who played at Mitchell, missed a game Friday night in New Orleans and will be out tonight against Dallas.