LeBron James on Friday night scored 31 points and Mo Williams made a tiebreaking jumper with 41 seconds left as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the New York Knicks 90-84 for their eighth straight victory.
Cleveland remained unbeaten since dropping their opener at Chicago and matched their best start through nine games at 8-1.
Williams scored Cleveland’s final six points and finished with 20.
Photo: EPA
Carmelo Anthony scored 26 for the Knicks, but 22 came in the first half and his only field goal in the second half was a follow dunk as James kept his friend in check when it mattered.
BULLS 102, HORNETS 97
In Chicago, Jimmy Butler had 27 points and Pau Gasol added 19 points and 13 rebounds as Chicago beat Charlotte.
Photo: AFP
Nicolas Batum scored 12 of his 28 points in the third quarter and was five of six from three-point range for Charlotte. Kemba Walker had 16 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
Charlotte trailed for most of the fourth quarter, but Jeremy Lamb scored eight straight points to pull the Hornets within 88-87 with 5 minutes, 54 seconds left.
However, Butler hit a jumper and made a pair of free throws and Derrick Rose had a driving layup to get the lead up to 94-87 with 4 minutes, 32 seconds left.
Lamb missed a three-pointer with 27 seconds left that would have tied it at 100. Butler then iced it with a 22-footer to put the Bulls up 102-97.
THUNDER 102, 76ERS 85
In Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Russell Westbrook had his second straight triple-double as Oklahoma City beat Philadelphia.
Westbrook stepped up while top scorer Kevin Durant sat out with a strained left hamstring. Westbrook finished with 21 points, a career-high 17 rebounds and 11 assists for the 21st triple-double of his career. It was his third in his past four games against Philadelphia.
Dion Waiters scored 14 points and Enes Kanter had 13 for the Thunder, who won their third straight.
Christian Wood scored 15 points and Nerlens Noel had 13 points and 11 rebounds for the 76ers, who lost their 19th in a row.
NUGGETS 107, ROCKETS 98
In Denver, Colorado, Danilo Gallinari had 27 points and Will Barton scored a career-high 26 as Denver beat Houston to spoil the return of Ty Lawson.
Kenneth Faried added 14 points and 11 rebounds for Denver.
The home crowd did not give Lawson a warm reception, despite his mostly productive six years with the Nuggets. He helped Denver reach the playoffs four straight seasons and win a franchise-best 57 games in 2012-2013 before a disappointing first-round exit against Golden State. Trouble off the court, including multiple arrests, soured his reputation with the fans and preceded him being dealt to Houston in the summer.
James Harden led the Rockets with 28 points. Terrence Jones added 23 off the bench and Dwight Howard had 12 points and 10 rebounds.
KINGS 111, NETS 109
In Sacramento, California, DeMarcus Cousins had 30 of his season-high 40 points in the second half and added 13 rebounds and Rajon Rondo had a triple-double as the Sacramento Kings beat struggling Brooklyn.
It was the second straight victory for the Kings, who had snapped a six-game losing streak on Wednesday.
Rondo had his third triple-double in four games, with 23 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds. Reserve Ben McLemore had a season-high 15 points and Marco Belinelli had 14.
Jarrett Jack had 21 points and 12 assists for the Nets, who have opened the season with a 1-8 record.
In other results, it was:
‧ Grizzlies 101, Trail Blazers 100
‧ Mavericks 90, Lakers 82
‧ Pacers 107, Timberwolves 103
‧ Celtics 106, Hawks 93
‧ Raptors 100, Pelicans 81
‧ Magic 102, Jazz 93
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