Lebron's record-setting night helps lead Cavs past Nets, 129-123

LeBron James scored 31 points and finished a month averaging a triple-double for the first time in his career, and the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Brooklyn Nets 129-123 on Tuesday night at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

In the victory, James became the first player in NBA history to score 30,000 points in addition to 8,000 career assists and 8,000 career rebounds. He also finishes the month of February averaging a triple-double and is the oldest player ever to do so.

George Hill scored a season-high 26 points, while Rodney Hood scored 14 points off the bench, 11 of which came in the fourth quarter. Kyle Korver added 18 points off the bench.

The Cavs, who have now won six in eight games, shot 51.5 percent and have scored at least 120 points for the 14th time.

Former Buckeye D'Angelo Russell led the Nets with 25 points, six assists and five rebounds, but it was not enough as the Nets lost for the 12th time in 14 games. Caris LeVert added 18 and DeMarre Carroll contributed 16 as Brooklyn shot 53.7 percent.

The Nets (20-42) took the Cavaliers (36-24) down to the wire. With 40.2 seconds left, Hood scored over Nets center Jarrett Allen and was fouled in the process. He stuck the free throw to put the Cavs up two. Without calling a timeout, Russell pushed the ball up the floor, but turned it over when Hill and Nance forced him into the corner and he turned it over with an errant pass. Two James free throws gave the Cavs a four-point lead. Free throws ensued and the Cavs pushed their lead to six to seal the win.

The win could also help Cleveland position in the NBA draft. The Cavaliers own Brooklyn’s No. 1 pick, acquired in a trade with Boston. The Nets have the seventh-worst record in the league.

COMING UP FOR THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: The Cleveland Cavaliers next play on Thursday against the 76ers. Tipoff is at 8 p.m. at the Q.