LeBron, Cavs work overtime for fourth straight win
Associated Press
CLEVELAND
LeBron James knows about the narrative bouncing around the NBA that Cleveland can be dethroned in the East.
He’s ignoring it, and slowly changing it.
“You know I could care less what people say,” James said. “I’m so far beyond that. I don’t care what people say.”
Just to make sure everyone understood him, James asked his two sons waiting for him in Cleveland’s locker room to chime in on whether he was concerned about outside voices.
The boys had dad’s back.
James had another of those games that he only seems capable of, scoring 39 points with 14 rebounds in 46 minutes as the Cavaliers continued to improve from a shaky start with their fourth straight win, 118-113 in overtime on Friday night over the skidding Los Angeles Clippers, who dropped their seventh in a row.
Kevin Love scored 25 and drained a pair of 3-pointers in OT, when the Cavs, who didn’t take the lead until the first minute of the extra session, outscored the Clippers 13-8.
Dwyane Wade gave Cleveland a huge spark, scoring 23 points with 11 rebounds in 37 minutes. The Cavs’ win wasn’t eye-pleasing, but it was another step in the right direction for the three-time defending conference champions, who went 3-1 on a just-completed road trip.
On Thursday night, James said he watched Boston beat Golden State to improve to 14-2, a stunning start that has prompted discussion about Cleveland’s vulnerability.
James dismissed any concern about the Celtics’ early burst.
“I’ve got too much to worry about around here right now trying to get our ship going in the right direction,” he said.
The Clippers’ ship is taking on water fast. Los Angeles has lost nine of 10 since a 4-0 start.
Blake Griffin scored 23 and DeAndre Jordan had 20 points and 22 rebounds for Los Angeles, which didn’t give up the lead until the first minute of overtime. The Clippers had chances to put the Cavs away in regulation, but they didn’t execute down the stretch and then had defensive breakdowns in overtime.