Jazz spoil Lebron’s 33rd b’day party
Cleveland loses third straight overall and for sixth consecutive time in Utah
Donovan Mitchell scored 29 points, and the Utah Jazz handed LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers their third straight defeat, 104-101 on Saturday night in Salt Lake City.
James had 29 points, eight rebounds and six assists on his 33rd birthday as Cleveland lost at Utah for the sixth straight time. The Cavs’ three-game losing streak is their second this season.
Mitchell blew by J.R. Smith with the dribble and finished a layup in traffic over James with 35 seconds remaining to give the Jazz a 100-97 lead. James then missed a layup, and Utah finished off the game from the free-throw line. The Jazz snapped a threegame losing streak.
Mitchell shot 10 for 17 from the field. Ricky Rubio had 16 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.
James did not record a point or an assist during the game-changing third quarter, which Utah opened with a 23-3 run. Cleveland connected on just 4 of 19 shots in the quarter.
James powered the Cavaliers’ late rally, but the Jazz were able to hold on.
The Cavs led by 10 in the first quarter. Utah chipped away in the second and trailed 53-48 at halftime.
Jazz center Rudy Gobert was re-evaluated Saturday and will miss at least two more weeks with a sprained PCL.
PISTONS 93, SPURS 79 >> Andre Drummond had 14 points and 21 rebounds, and Detroit held San Antonio to its lowest point total of the season. Playing without starting guards Reggie Jackson (right ankle sprain) and Avery Bradley (sore right groin), the Pistons defended gamely and never trailed at home. Reggie Bullock scored 22 points for Detroit, and rookie Luke Kennard added 20 — both were career highs. Kawhi Leonard scored 18 points for San Antonio, which shot 37 percent from the field and 5 of 26 from 3-point range.
KNICKS 105, PELICANS 103 >>
Kristaps Porzingis scored 30 points, Jarrett Jack made two free throws to break a tie with 9 seconds remaining, and New York beat New Orleans. Jack finished with 15 points, and Michael Beasley scored 15 off the bench for the Knicks, who snapped a season-worst four-game losing streak. Anthony Davis had 31 points and nine rebounds for the Pelicans and missed a 3-pointer just before the final buzzer. DeMarcus Cousins had 29 points and 19 rebounds, Jrue Holiday scored 13 and E’Twaun Moore had 12.
HEAT 117, MAGIC 111 >> Tyler Johnson scored 22 points in the third quarter, and Goran Dragic had 14 in the fourth to help Miami overcome an 18-point deficit and beat Orlando. Johnson finished with a seasonhigh 31 points, and Dragic had 25 points and eight assists. Aaron Gordon led the Magic with 39 points. The Magic (12-25) lost for the 10th time in 11 games. HAWKS 104, TRAIL BLAZERS
89>> Dennis Schroder scored 18 of his 22 points in the second half, Marco Belinelli added 14 points and Atlanta beat Portland. Shabazz Napier finished with 21 points, and CJ McCollum had 18 for Portland. 76ERS 107, NUGGETS 102 >> Dario Saric had 20 points and nine rebounds and keyed a second-half run to lead Philadelphia over Denver. Philadelphia played without star center Joel Embiid, who flew directly from Portland to Phoenix, where the team will join him for Sunday’s game. Jamal Murray led Denver with 31 points. The Nuggets looked like they had control with 11 straight points to start the third to go up 72-58, but Philadelphia responded with a 25-4 run to lead 83-76.