Sports
Lebron's triple-double & JR Smith's 23 pts lead Cavs past Pacers
Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers. Lebron James, JR Smith, Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, Dwayne Wade, Derrick Rose, Tyronne Lue, Oladipo
Lebron James scored 26 points as part of a triple-double and JR Smith enjoyed best game of the year, finishing with a season-high 23 points and seven 3-pointers as the Cleveland beat the Indiana Pacers 115-108 at the Q on Friday.
James had his 63rd career triple-double with 11 assists and 10 rebounds— overcoming 11 turnovers —. Lebron has eight triple-doubles this season, already his 2nd most in a season in his 15-year career and his most ever before the All-Star break.
Center Tristan Thompson, in his first start since early November, had 10 points and 10 rebounds, his second double-double of the season. Thompson replaced Jae Crowder in the starting lineup. Coach Tyronn Lue had promised a shake-up after the Cavs lost 10 of their previous 13 games.
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Kevin Love, back to his role as the starting power forward, registered a double-double with 10 points and 13 boards. Derrick Rose, who filled in for Dwayne Wade as the backup point guard, had his best game of the season, finished with 14 points and two assists.
Dwayne Wade missed Friday night’s game against Indiana to deal with a “personal matter” and it is unclear when the guard will rejoin the team.
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The Cavs dropped 71 on the Pacers in the first half, the most Indiana has allowed in a game this season through the first 24 minutes.
After leading by as many as 18 points in the second half, the Cavs let the Pacers back into the game, letting them get the lead down to five in the closing moments. LeBron’s 11 turnovers did not help Cleveland’s cause, nor did another rusty performance for Isaiah Thomas, who went 5-of-13 with 12 points and five turnovers..
The Cavaliers beat Indiana for the first time in four meetings this season. The Cavs, who led wire to wire and by as many as 19, finished the game shooting 56 percent and canning 13-of-37 shots from beyond the arc.
Victor Oladipo led the Pacers with 25 points and seven assists.
COMING UP FOR THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: The Cleveland Cavaliers (28-19), who entered the game having lost 11 of their 15 games, are off until Sunday when they host the Detroit Pistons for a 6:00 pm tip-off.