LeBron struggles in loss to Knicks

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

LeBron James shot miserably. His passes were errant. He didn’t look good doing much other than tossing powder in the air.

His homecoming was horrendous.

“I didn’t press,” James said, dismissing nerves as a factor. “I didn’t do much.”

James struggled from the start in his first game with Cleveland in four years, and the New York Knicks ruined the megastar’s emotional return home with a 95-90 victory over the Cavaliers on Thursday night.

James finished with 17 points on 5-of-15 shooting. He also committed eight turnovers and never looked comfortable on a night when the entire city — and a star-studded crowd — celebrated his comeback.

“It was a special night,” he said. “I’m glad it was great, but I’m also glad it’s over.”

Carmelo Anthony scored 25 points and buried a baseline jump shot with James in his face with 25 seconds left to give the Knicks a 92-87 lead.

Kyrie Irving scored 22 and Kevin Love added 19 points and 14 rebounds for the Cavs.

Iman Shumpert and Jason Smith had 12 points apiece for the Knicks, who were embarrassed at home on Wednesday by Chicago.

“It was pretty incredible,” New York forward Amare Stoudemire said, describing the atmosphere. “I haven’t seen anything like that before. The city was on fire. It was great to kind of spoil the excitement — great for us.”