LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers is guarded by Matt Barnes (L) of the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, California © Getty/AFP / EZRA SHAW
LOS ANGELES, United States, Jan 14 – The NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers snapped a two-game skid, with Kyrie Irving leading the way with 26 points in a 120-108 victory over the Kings in Sacramento.
Kyle Korver, recently arrived in a trade from Atlanta, added 18 points off the bench and superstar LeBron James contributed 16 points and 15 assists in his latest outing in the city where he made his NBA debut in 2003.
But it wasn’t all clear sailing for the champions. After trailing by 24 points in the first half, the streaky Kings got as close as 90-85 in the in the fourth quarter.
Sacramento had reduced a 19-point first-quarter deficit to 43-33 with five minutes left in the first half.
The Cavs responded with a 16-4 scoring run that included seven points from Korver.
Kyle Korver (R) of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over Arron Afflalo of the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California © Getty/AFP / EZRA SHAW
The Kings reduced the deficit to 66-58 with 7:02 left the third, but Irving scored nine of Cleveland’s next 14 as the champions rebuilt their lead.
In his third game with the Cavaliers, Korver looked to have found his rhythm. He made his first three shots, finished seven of 10 from the field and drained four of his six three-point attempts.
Irving, who had struggled with his shot in four games since returning from a sore hamstring, made 10 of his 22 attempts from the field.
The victory was the perfect warmup for the Cavs prior to their marquee showdown with the Golden State Warriors on Monday.
– Grizzlies rally, down Rockets –
In Houston, Zach Randolph posted a double-double off the bench and the Memphis Grizzlies erased a 16-point deficit en route to a 110-105 victory over the Rockets.
Randolph finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Mike Conley had 17 points and nine assists for the Grizzlies. Spanish big man Marc Gasol added 14 points, six rebounds and six assists and Tony Allen scored a season-high 22 before he fouled out with 3:35 remaining.
Zach Randolph (L) posted a double-double off the bench and the Memphis Grizzlies erased a 16-point deficit en route to a 110-105 victory over the Rockets © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP / Christian Petersen
The Rockets dropped back-to-back games for the first time this season as they struggled from three-point range.
After connecting on 58.3 percent of their shots in the first half the Rockets went cold. They missed 21 of 24 three-point attempts in the second half.
With the Rockets down by four with less than a minute to play, Houston’s Trevor Ariza and Ryan Anderson both missed open three-point attempts.
“We didn’t make shots,” Rockets guard James Harden said. “Trevor had a really good look, Ryan had a really good look. Simple.”
The Utah Jazz romped to a 110-77 home victory over the Detroit Pistons.
Rodney hood scored a season-high 27 points, making seven of eight three-point attempts. George Hill added 22 points and Gordon Hayward contributed 20 for the Jazz.
