Sports
New-look Cavs win 4th straight, beat the Thunder 120-112 Tuesday
Cleveland Cavaliers, Thunder, Lebron james, Tyronn Lue, Billy Donovan, Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance, Jr., JR Smith, Russell Westbrook
The Cleveland Cavaliers are heading into the All-Star break with a win, as they defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder 120-112 on Tuesday.
They are 4-0 in their last four contests and last night's performance was a huge improvement from their last game against the Thunder.
LeBron James had another huge night for the Cavs, scoring 17 of his 37 points in the third quarter, grabbing eight rebounds, and dishing out eight assists in 40 minutes. J.R. Smith added 18 points and drained six three pointers for the Cavaliers, and Jeff Green added 10 points off the bench.
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Each of Cleveland's additions made solid contributions against Oklahoma City. Hill started at point guard and went 24 minutes without a turnover. Hood and Clarkson each scored 14 points and Nance had 13 points and nine rebounds, including eight offensive boards.
"We've got to keep working," Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue said. "It's a process. You've got to keep playing well, keep getting better and hit that stride late."
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Paul George scored 25 points and Carmelo Anthony 24 for the Thunder. Steven Adams added 22 points and 17 rebounds, and Russell Westbrook scored 21 points. Westbrook and Anthony had missed the past two games with sprained ankles. Westbrook had 12 assists and seven rebounds, but he made just 7-of-19 shots, including scoring only three points in the fourth period.
“I think they just did a good job playing together,” Adams said. “That’s as much as I can tell you, to be honest.”
The Cavaliers are averaging 126 points during their four-game win streak and have scored at least 120 points in each game.
Thunder coach Billy Donovan said the changes create a lot of problems.
"I think their ability to space it, drive it, kick it, their skill level, I think — not that it was bad before, but I think the speed, probably the tempo and the pace they are playing at is a little bit faster," he said.
COMING UP FOR THE CAVALIERS: The Cleveland Cavaliers (34-22) do not play again until Feb. 22 at home against Washington due to the All-Star Break.