Cavaliers send message with big road victory over 76ers
The biggest victory of the young Cavaliers season didn't exactly go according to the franchise's script for success. Or did it?
The 123-120 come-from-behind win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night was emotional to be sure, but it was far from the road game philosophy of grinding out a defensive win as coach Mike Brown preaches.
Yet watching the way LeBron James and Larry Hughes worked together was perhaps the beginning of those champagne wishes and salary-cap dreams hatched in the offseason.
Hughes was masterful in putting up 37 points on 12-of-24 shooting including 5-of-6 on 3-pointers along with six assists and four rebounds. Plus he was gritty on Allen Iverson on defense in the stretch run, preventing him from getting to the basket.
Then there was James, whose triple-double of 36 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists on 14-of-24 shooting says it all.
Beyond the numbers was the demonstration of their teamwork. Hughes dominated early when he had a hot hand and a defender he knew he could have his way with in Kyle Korver. Then late, James took over at point guard when he found Andre Iguodala couldn't defend him on a pick-and-roll.
"I told Larry to just keep making shots, keep us in there," James said. "And I told him I'd join him soon."
"LeBron's a great player capable of making great plays," Hughes said. "We're confident in him but he's also confident in his teammates and he lets us make plays."
SUNDAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: Life is a lot more enjoyable for the Toronto Raptors now that they've finally won a game. "Every one likes each other again," said a chuckling Mike James after the Raptors beat the first-place Miami Heat 107-94 on Sunday to end Toronto's longest losing streak since 2003.
Chris Bosh had a season-high 27 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Raptors, who opened the season 0-9 - the worst start in their 11-year history. James added 25 points for Toronto.
Stephon Marbury scored a season-high 27 points Sunday to help New York give coach Larry Brown his first Knicks victory at Madison Square Garden as they beat the Trail Blazers 103-92.
Elton Brand had 32 points and 10 rebounds to help the Pacific Division-leading Clippers top the Warriors 113-101 and improve to 8-2, the best start in franchise history.
LAKERS: Forward Kwame Brown is expected to be sidelined for up to two weeks because of a strained right hamstring.
Forwards Slava Medvedenko and Luke Walton are sidelined with injuries as well, leaving the Lakers thin up front.
The Lakers took a 4-5 record into Sunday night's game against the Chicago Bulls.
The 123-120 come-from-behind win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night was emotional to be sure, but it was far from the road game philosophy of grinding out a defensive win as coach Mike Brown preaches.
Yet watching the way LeBron James and Larry Hughes worked together was perhaps the beginning of those champagne wishes and salary-cap dreams hatched in the offseason.
Hughes was masterful in putting up 37 points on 12-of-24 shooting including 5-of-6 on 3-pointers along with six assists and four rebounds. Plus he was gritty on Allen Iverson on defense in the stretch run, preventing him from getting to the basket.
Then there was James, whose triple-double of 36 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists on 14-of-24 shooting says it all.
Beyond the numbers was the demonstration of their teamwork. Hughes dominated early when he had a hot hand and a defender he knew he could have his way with in Kyle Korver. Then late, James took over at point guard when he found Andre Iguodala couldn't defend him on a pick-and-roll.
"I told Larry to just keep making shots, keep us in there," James said. "And I told him I'd join him soon."
"LeBron's a great player capable of making great plays," Hughes said. "We're confident in him but he's also confident in his teammates and he lets us make plays."
SUNDAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: Life is a lot more enjoyable for the Toronto Raptors now that they've finally won a game. "Every one likes each other again," said a chuckling Mike James after the Raptors beat the first-place Miami Heat 107-94 on Sunday to end Toronto's longest losing streak since 2003.
Chris Bosh had a season-high 27 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Raptors, who opened the season 0-9 - the worst start in their 11-year history. James added 25 points for Toronto.
Stephon Marbury scored a season-high 27 points Sunday to help New York give coach Larry Brown his first Knicks victory at Madison Square Garden as they beat the Trail Blazers 103-92.
Elton Brand had 32 points and 10 rebounds to help the Pacific Division-leading Clippers top the Warriors 113-101 and improve to 8-2, the best start in franchise history.
LAKERS: Forward Kwame Brown is expected to be sidelined for up to two weeks because of a strained right hamstring.
Forwards Slava Medvedenko and Luke Walton are sidelined with injuries as well, leaving the Lakers thin up front.
The Lakers took a 4-5 record into Sunday night's game against the Chicago Bulls.
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