James’ triple-double lifts Cavs over Knicks

Associated Press

NEW YORK

LeBron James had 27 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in his third triple-double of the season, Kevin Love added 28 points and 12 rebounds, and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the New York Knicks 107-93 on Saturday night.

Even with Kyrie Irving resting, the Cavaliers easily bounced back from a loss in Brooklyn on Thursday, shutting the Knicks down in the first half and pulling away when the lead got down to 10 in the fourth quarter.

J.R. Smith finished with 13 points in the Cavs’ sixth straight victory over the Knicks.

Carmelo Anthony scored 28 points after a brutal start for the Knicks, who were coming off a home-and-home sweep of Chicago. Kristaps Porzingis had 19.

James recorded his 42nd career triple-double and moved within three points of Dominique Wilkins for 12th place on the NBA’s scoring list.

James made it clear Saturday morning he believes the Cavs have enough to win the title, and they looked it during a dominant first half. They held the Knicks to 15 points in the first quarter and 17 in the second, with James and Love taking turns carrying the offense as Cleveland took a 24-point lead.

Anthony missed 10 of his first 11 shots but turned it around in the second half to help the Knicks surpass the 84.7 points they averaged against Cleveland in the first three meetings. But they couldn’t really get close enough to have a realistic chance of winning.

And making a rally just brought out James’ fiercest, as he picked up a technical foul for taunting when he stared down Lou Amundson after a driving dunk over the Knicks’ forward in the third quarter.

Matthew Dellavedova scored 10 points starting in place of Irving and Mo Williams had eight in his first game in about a month after returning from a left knee injury.

Anthony was 1 for 8 in the first quarter as the Cavs opened a 32-15 lead. The Cavs then held the Knicks to five baskets in the second, giving them 12 in 24 minutes, and it was 56-32 at the break.

TIP-INS

Cavaliers: Tristan Thompson tied Jim Chones’ club record by appearing in his 361st consecutive game. ... Coach Tyronn Lue said he also wanted to find some rest for Dellavedova, who battled dehydration and cramping during last year’s NBA Finals.

Knicks: Anthony finished 9 for 24 and grabbed nine rebounds. ... The Knicks have lost five straight at home to the Cavs.

LIKING LOVE

Knicks interim coach Kurt Rambis coached Love in Minnesota, working with the forward to shorten his shooting stroke

“It was a lot of fun to work with him, I mean it really was,” Rambis said. “You could see all the potential and where he was and where he could be, and again somebody that could take bigger players away from the basket and knock down shots, and take smaller players inside and post up.”