Cleveland’s LeBron James scored 29 points as the Cavaliers belatedly beat one of the top NBA teams by downing San Antonio 117-103 on Saturday.
Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving added 21 apiece as the Cavaliers won a fourth straight under new coach Tyronn Lue, who replaced the fired David Blatt.
Kawhi Leonard scored 24 for the Spurs, who still retain a healthy 11.5 game lead in the Southwest Division.
Photo: David Richard - USA TODAY
The Cavaliers had been 0-5 against Golden State, San Antonio and Chicago — three of the teams contending for the title this season along with Cleveland — but broke through for a win that would silence some critics.
Those critics might now turn their eyes to Golden State, as the Warriors needed a basket with two-tenths of a second left to beat Philadelphia in a clash of the league’s top and bottom teams.
Raptors 111, Pistons 107
Elsewhere, Toronto extended their winning streak to a team record 11 games by downing Detroit at the Air Canada Centre.
The Raptors were forced to work hard to extend their record streak, with DeMar DeRozan’s 29 points helping the Toronto beat Detroit 111-107.
Kyle Lowry had 18 points for the Raptors, who opened their lead in the Atlantic Division to 5.5 games.
Reserve guard Brandon Jennings led the way for Detroit with 22 points.
Grizzlies 121, Kings 117
Memphis’ Jeff Green scored 29 points to lead the Grizzlies to a 121-117 win against fast-finishing Sacramento at the FedExForum.
The Kings pulled within 118-117 on a three-pointer from Darren Collison with 18.7 seconds left. Courtney Lee sank two free throws for the Grizzlies to create a 120-117 lead. On the next possession, Collison lost the ball, allowing Memphis to hold on for a third straight win and send the Kings to a fourth successive loss.
Marc Gasol had 22 points for Memphis, and Rudy Gay led the Kings with 21 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter.
Warriors 108, 76ers 105
Golden State’s Harrison Barnes hit a three-pointer just before the buzzer to give the Warriors a 108-105 win against Philadelphia.
Klay Thompson had 32 points and Stephen Curry scored 23 points for the Warriors, who nearly blew a 24-point second-half lead.
Their sixth straight win improved the Warriors to 43-4, tying the best win-loss record over 47 games in NBA history.
Isaiah Canaan had 18 points to lead the 76ers, who dropped to 7-41.
In other NBA action, it was:
‧ Wizards 123, Rockets 122
‧ Pacers 109, Nuggets 105
‧ Pelicans 105, Nets 103
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