Cleveland, United States: LeBron James had a triple-double with 32 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists and Kyrie Irving scored 27 of his 32 in the second half to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers over the New Orleans Pelicans 118-111 on Monday.
Kevin Love added 22 points for the Cavs, who played their second home game this season.
James and Irving dominated in the second half, combining for 46 points — 30 in the third quarter, when the Cavs overcame a nine-point deficit. Love, too, was huge after half-time, making four 3-pointers.
Anthony Davis scored 27 with 14 rebounds for the Pelicans.
Chicago’s Derrick Rose had 24 points and seven assists in his return to the line-up as the balanced Bulls beat the Detroit Pistons 102-91.
Rose was 9 for 20 from the field in 32 minutes after being sidelined by sprained ankles. The 2011 NBA MVP had missed four of the previous five games after he was injured in an overtime loss to Cleveland on Oct. 31.
Josh Smith had 19 points and 11 rebounds for Detroit.
At Los Angeles, Kawhi Leonard equalled his career high with 26 points despite playing with only one good eye as the San Antonio Spurs closed with a rush to beat the Clippers 89-85.
Leonard’s vision has been affected by a case of conjunctivitis. Still, he pulled down 10 rebounds and gave the defending NBA champions their first lead with 1:44 left.
Tim Duncan added 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Tony Parker scored nine of his 13 in the fourth quarter for the Spurs.
The Atlanta Hawks beat Brooklyn 91-85 for the Knicks’ fifth straight loss after Paul Millsap scored 19 points and Dennis Schroder extended his best stretch in the NBA with two big baskets in the final 2 minutes.
Kyle Korver added 17 points as Atlanta finished a home-and-home sweep, including a 103-96 win Saturday at home.
Indiana’s Roy Hibbert scored a season-high 29 points to help the Pacers end a six-game losing streak with a 97-86 win over the Utah Jazz.
A.J. Price had 22 points and Lavoy Allen added 12 — also season highs for both players — as the Pacers won for the first time since the season opener. Allen also had 15 rebounds and Hibbert grabbed five.
Price scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, including two 3-pointers during a 13-2 run that gave Indiana an 87-79 lead midway through the period.
Gordon Hayward scored 30 points to lead Utah. Enes Kanter had 18 points and Derrick Favors added 13 points and eight rebounds.
