ATLANTA — Australian star Kyrie Irving scored 35 points in his NBA return from a bruised left knee but the Cleveland Cavaliers, playing without LeBron James, lost 109-101 Tuesday at Atlanta. Four-time NBA Most Valuable Player James, who celebrated his 30th birthday Tuesday, missed the contest due to a sore left knee. The superstar playmaker is averaging 25.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 7.6 assists a game. James had missed only one prior game this season, three weeks ago Oklahoma City, in his first campaign since leaving the Miami Heat and returning to his first NBA club vowing to build them into a champion. Irving, a point guard who missed Cleveland's two prior games with a bone bruise, passed out a team-high nine assists and pulled down six rebounds for the Cavaliers,who were also missing forward Shawn Marion because of a left ankle injury. Adding to the misery for the Cavaliers was a setback for big man Kevin Love, who scored only seven points on 1-of-8 shooting before leaving the game with back spasms. Paul Millsap led Atlanta with 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds while Jeff Teague added 23 points and a game-high 11 assists for the Hawks and Kyle Korver contributed 19 points, hitting 5-of-8 3-point shots. Tristan Thompson added 18 points and 13 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who fell to 18-13 and only 7-7 in road games. The Hawks are one game behind Toronto for the best record in the Eastern Conference while the Cavaliers rank fifth in the East, four games behind Chicago in the Central division. Grizzlies 95, Spurs 87: Mike Conley carried Memphis early, then buried San Antonio late in the Grizzlies' victory over the Spurs before a sellout crowd at FedExForum. The veteran point guard scored a game-high 30 points and hit a key three-pointer with 3:10 left to help Memphis close out 2014 with its second win over the Spurs in three meetings this month. Lakers 111, Nuggets 103: Guard Kobe Bryant had 23 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, as Los Angeles held on to beat Denver. It was the second triple-double of the season for Bryant and 21st of his career. Forward Carlos Boozer had 19 points and nine rebounds and guard Ronnie Price scored 18 points for the Lakers, who had lost six of seven before beating Denver. Pistons 109, Magic 86: Reserve guard Jodie Meeks hit nine of his 11 three-point attempts and scored a season-high 34 points to lead Detroit to a victory over Orlando. Center Andre Drummond had 17 points and 22 rebounds and reserve guard D.J. Augustin added 11 points for Detroit, who out-rebounded Orlando, 54-42. Nets 96, Bulls 82: Center Brook Lopez scored 29 points as Brooklyn rolled to a win over Chicago. Forward Joe Johnson added 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Nets, who earned their fifth win in six games. Guards Jarrett Jack and Alan Anderson notched 11 points apiece for Brooklyn. Pelicans 110, Suns 106: Guard Tyreke Evans scored 24 points and forward Anthony Davis grabbed 18 rebounds to lift New Orleans to a victory over Phoenix, ending the Suns' six-game winning streak. The Suns were led by Goran Dragic with 22 points and Eric Bledsoe with 21. Mavericks 114, Wizards 87: Six Mavericks scored in double figures, led by guard Monta Ellis with 20 points, in Dallas' third consecutive victory. Jazz 100, Timberwolves 94: Forward Gordon Hayward and guard Trey Burke each scored 26 points to help Utah rally for victory over Minnesota. — Agencies
