CLEVELAND — LeBron James scored a game-high 20 points and added 11 rebounds with six assists Sunday as the Cleveland Cavaliers edged Philadelphia 87-86 for their 16th consecutive home triumph. Australian-born Kyrie Irving added 17 points while Kevin Love had 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who improved to 48-27 and stretched their Central division lead over Chicago to 2-1/2 games. Russian big man Timofey Mozgov scored off a rebound for the last of his 14 points to give Cleveland an 87-83 lead with 4:03 remaining. Robert Covington answered with a 3-pointer for the 76ers six seconds later with what turned out to be the last of the game's scoring. From there, the 76ers missed their final five shots, four by Ish Smith, and four free throws as well while the Cavaliers missed their final six shots, three of them by James. Mozgov had 10 rebounds and Tristan Thompson grabbed nine rebounds for the Cavaliers, who have won five of their past six starts. Covington led the 76ers with 19 points, but Philadelphia's upset bid faltered on 4-of-10 free throw shooting in the fourth quarter. It was the Sixers fourth loss in five games, dropping them to 18-56, the third-worst record in the league. Spurs 103, Grizzlies 89: Kawhi Leonard had 25 points and 10 rebounds and the San Antonio Spurs cruised to a 103-89 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. San Antonio never trailed and won for the 13th time in 16 games to remain sixth in the Western Conference — 1-1/2 games ahead of Dallas and one game behind the Clippers. Thunder 109, Suns 97: Russell Westbrook had 33 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder rallied from 20 points down to beat the Phoenix Suns. D.J. Augustin scored 13 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter for the Thunder, who snapped a four-game road skid. Steven Adams had 13 points and 16 rebounds, and Dion Waiters scored 18 points. Nets 107, Lakers 99: Brook Lopez had 30 points and 11 rebounds, and Brooklyn kept up its playoff push with its third straight victory. Joe Johnson added 18 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Nets, who moved a half-game ahead of Boston for eighth place in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics lost 119-106 to the Los Angeles Clippers. Clippers 119, Celtics 106: J.J. Redick scored 27 points, Chris Paul had 21 points and 10 assists, and the Clippers earned their seventh consecutive win. Blake Griffin had 21 points and nine rebounds for Los Angeles, which jumped out to a 68-47 halftime lead. DeAndre Jordan had 15 points and 14 rebounds, and Matt Barnes scored 18 points. Pacers 104, Mavericks 99: C.J. Miles made a key 3-pointer with a minute left and finished with 28 points, helping Indiana to the victory. The Pacers pulled even with Boston for ninth place in the Eastern Conference, a half-game behind Brooklyn for the final playoff spot. Heat 109, Pistons 102: Heat star Dwyane Wade scored 40 points one day after having fluid removed from his balky left knee, and Udonis Haslem set season highs with 18 points and 13 rebounds. James Ennis matched his season best with 16 points, Mario Chalmers scored 11 and Goran Dragic had 10 for the Heat, who strengthened their hold on the No. 7 spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Rockets 99, Wizards 91: James Harden had 24 points and Corey Brewer scored 15, leading Houston to the road win. Rockets centre Dwight Howard had 11 points and 10 rebounds in 19 minutes in his third game back from a right knee injury. Pelicans 110, Timberwolves 88: Anthony Davis had 28 points and nine rebounds, powering the Pelicans to the victory. — Agencies
