LeBron James scored 23 points and did some quick tailoring on Cleveland’s tight, sleeved uniforms, while Mo Williams added 22 as the Cavaliers won their fourth straight, 96-86 over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.
James made a three-pointer and dunked off a nice pass from Williams while scoring 11 in the fourth quarter, when the Cavs outscored the Knicks 26-17.
Tristan Thompson grabbed 13 rebounds and Kevin Love had 12 boards for Cleveland, who have not lost since opening night in Chicago.
Photo: David Richard-USA TODAY
Carmelo Anthony scored 17 and rookie Kristaps Porzingis 13 for the Knicks, who were even at 75-all in the fourth when James went to work.
James, who earlier this week became the youngest player in NBA history to reach 25,000 points, had an off night from the field, going just nine of 23.
He might have an excuse.
Photo: David Richard-USA TODAY
During the first half, an irritated James performed an in-game alteration on Cleveland’s new sleeved jerseys. The four-time MVP, who has complained in the past that the retro-looking tops are too tight for his arms and shoulders, tore the sleeves open midway through a four-of-11 shooting performance in the opening 24 minutes.
The Cavs were wearing the black, body-hugging uniforms for the first time.
RAPTORS 103, THUNDER 98
In Oklahoma City, DeMar DeRozan scored 10 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter as Toronto overcame an eight-point deficit in the final six minutes to beat Oklahoma City and remain undefeated.
Jonas Valanciunas had 17 points and 12 rebounds and Kyle Lowry added 17 points for the Raptors (5-0), who beat Dallas the night before. Toronto shot 42 percent from the field, but benefited from 19 Oklahoma City turnovers.
Russell Westbrook scored 20 of his 22 points in the second half and finished with 16 assists. Kevin Durant had 27 points and Enes Kanter added 15 for the Thunder, who lost their second straight. It was the first time this season the Thunder scored fewer than 100 points.
WARRIORS 112, CLIPPERS 108
In Oakland, California, Stephen Curry scored 31 points, including the go-ahead three-pointer with just over a minute to go that led defending champion Golden State to its fifth straight win to open the season.
Harrison Barnes added 17 points and sparked the big run that helped Golden State overcome a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to knock off perhaps their most-hated rivals.
Chris Paul scored 24 points and Blake Griffin added 23 for the Clippers, who also had won their first four games of the season to give extra meaning to this early season matchup.
An offseason war of words that has been waged between Clippers coach Doc Rivers and several Warriors about what role luck played in their championship last season only added to the drama.
BUCKS 91, 76ERS 87
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Khris Middleton scored 21 points as Milwaukee welcomed back forward Jabari Parker from a left knee injury with a victory over Philadelphia.
Parker, the second pick in last year’s draft, started and played 16 minutes in his first game since tearing his ACL on Dec. 15.
He shot one of six for two points, and his jumper looked a little rusty.
Middleton picked him up down the stretch.
Greg Monroe’s layup with 1:29 left gave the Bucks an 86-85 lead. Middleton hit a fallaway three-pointer with 48 seconds remaining to make it a four-point game.
He sealed the win with two foul shots with 1.4 seconds left.
Philadelphia rookie Jahlil Okafor finished with 21 points and six rebounds.
Giannis Antetokounmpo added 17 points and shot seven of 11 for the Bucks.
In other NBA action, it was:
‧ Hawks 101, Nets 87
‧ Rockets 119, Magic 114, OT
‧ Wizards 102, Spurs 99
‧ Pacers 100, Celtics 98
‧ Trail Blazers 108, Jazz 92
‧ Suns 118, Kings 97
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