James return boost Cavaliers in tight win vs. Pacers
LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over Ian Mahinmi #28 of the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on February 29, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Pacers 100-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice. Jason Miller/Getty Images/AFP
CLEVELAND — The return of LeBron James to the Cleveland lineup invigorated the Cavaliers, spurring them to a 100-96 win against Indiana on Monday that asserted their credentials as the top team in the NBA’s Eastern Conference.
James scored 33 points after being rested in the loss to Washington on Sunday, and proved the difference in a tough contest against a dogged Pacers outfit.
Oklahoma City also returned to winning ways after a difficult sequence of games that resulted in four losses in five games. The Thunder won at Sacramento to push its games lead in the Northwest Division back into double figures.
Boston pushed its run of home wins to 11 by beating Utah.
Cleveland looked an improved team with James back, but still trailed the Pacers until Matthew Dellavedova hit a tying 3-pointer with 1:13 left. Tristan Thompson made it 96-94 in favor of the Cavaliers with a layup. Thompson then blocked a shot by George Hill with 18 seconds left.
Monta Ellis scored 28 points, who lost their third straight but would take encouragement from a strong performance.
Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook had a triple double of 20 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists, leading the Thunder to a 131-116 victory at Sacramento.
Kevin Durant finished with 27 points and 10 rebounds for the Thunder, which was back in action after a heartbreaking last-second-of-overtime loss to league leading Golden State on Saturday.
Oklahoma City shot 57 percent (47 for 82) from the field, including a 14-for-34 performance from 3-point range.
Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins had 35 points and 12 rebounds.
Boston’s winning streak and pressure on Atlantic Division leader Toronto continued with a 100-95 win against Utah.
Jae Crowder had 22 points, including a 3-pointer in the final minute that put the Celtics ahead to stay.
Isaiah Thomas added 18 points and nine assists for Boston.
Trey Lyles had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Jazz.
Washington’s John Wall scored 16 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter, rallying the Wizards to a 116-108 win against Philadelphia.
Wall and Marcin Gortat combined for 14 points during a 16-0 fourth-quarter run. Gortat finished with 18 points and a career-high 20 rebounds.
Philadelphia had six players score in double figures, led by Ish Smith’s 25 points, but the 76ers were outrebounded 53-32 in their ninth straight loss.
Los Angeles’ Jamal Crawford scored 26 points as the Clippers beat Brooklyn 105-95 to shore up their grip on fourth in the West.
Memphis made it three wins from three games against Denver this season by beating the Nuggets 103-96.
Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded his second career triple-double with 18 points, 17 rebounds and 11 assists as the Bucks outlasted Houston 128-121.
