LeBron, Cavs show chemistry in win over Clippers

LOS ANGELES, USA – LeBron James scored 27 points to lead Cleveland to a 114-90 NBA victory over the Clippers in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 13 (Monday Manila time) and said the Eastern Conference-leading Cavaliers are rounding into shape.

“We’re kind of getting into form right now, and coach (Tyronn) Lue has done a great job of kind of finding out his rhythm, and we know what he wants out of us and we’re responding,” said James, who scored 16 points in the first half and sat out all of the fourth quarter.

“We have a great rotation going right now,” James added. “Guys are healthy, and we’re just trying to play the right way.”

J.R. Smith, who drained 5 3-pointers, and Kyrie Irving added 17 points each for Cleveland.

Cleveland won their third straight game and their sixth in 7 outings.

“The ball was moving, it had a lot of energy behind it, and guys were in great rhythm,” said James, who also had 6 rebounds and 5 assists.

He moved past Kevin Johnson for 19th on the NBA’s all-time assists list with 6,716.

“We made extra passes and we were able to execute with guys feeling great rhythm.”

J.J. Redick had 19 points to lead the Clippers, who have lost three of their last five and fell one and a half games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for third place in the Western Conference.

The game marked the first time Cavs coach Lue – promoted to replace the sacked David Blatt in January – faced his mentor Doc Rivers.

Lue spent 5 seasons as an assistant to Rivers, first with the Boston Celtics and then with the Clippers.

“Having a chance and an opportunity to go up against him tonight seems surreal,” Lue admitted. – Rappler.com