Cavaliers Bury Clippers 114-90 Behind 3-Pointers
LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James scored 27 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers buried the Los Angeles Clippers with 3-pointers in a 114-90 victory Sunday, tying their season high with 18 from long range.
J.R. Smith and Kyrie Irving added 17 points each, and Channing Frye had 15 on a season-high-tying five 3-pointers for the Eastern Conference leaders.
The Cavaliers won their third straight and improved to 7-2 against the Clippers at Staples Center since the 2006-07 season. Cleveland is 20-6 against the West, including 10-4 on the road.
J.J. Redick scored 19 points, and Chris Paul added 17 points and 10 assists for the Clippers. They outscored the Cavs 17-7 to start the game, but James tied it on a 3-pointer, and Tristan Thompson's hook gave the Cavs the lead for good by the end of the quarter.
Kevin Love, who finished with 12 points and nine rebounds, launched the Cavs on a 30-6 run over the end of the first and start of the second quarter that pushed their lead to 37-23. Frye had three of his 3s in that stretch.
The Clippers closed to 43-38 with a 15-6 spurt, helped by 3-pointers from Jamal Crawford and two in a row from Paul. But that was their last run of the game.
The Cavs answered with a 15-3 run, including 10 by James, to close the half leading 58-41. James had two three-point plays, the first on a driving layup in which he slapped his right biceps when he drew a foul call, and the second on a dunk.
Cleveland hit eight 3-pointers in the third, including four in a row, when its lead reached 91-68.
Irving was the only Cleveland starter on the floor in the fourth, and he sat down after scoring seven in a row, capped by — what else — a 3-pointer. James Jones hit the Cavs' 18th 3-pointer with 31 seconds left, the most the Clippers have given up this season.
TIP-INS
Cavaliers: Smith also had five 3-pointers. ... The Cavs swept the season series, winning 115-102 at home on Jan. 21. ... They are 16-3 against the Clippers since 2006-07. ... They've won six of seven.
Clippers: They had won five of seven and had been holding opponents to 43 percent shooting coming in. ... F Luc Mbah a Moute returned to the starting lineup wearing goggles after missing five games with a left eyelid laceration. ... F Paul Pierce missed his second straight game with a sore right big toe. ... Team owner Steve Ballmer had an animated exchange with Mickey Mouse in the first quarter. ... Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Queen Latifah and Olympic skier Lindsay Vonn attended.
UP NEXT
Cavaliers: At Utah on Monday night to conclude four-game trip.
Clippers: At San Antonio on Tuesday night to start a five-game trip.
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