James calls his number, beats Kings
The play is called “Chicago,” after a game-winning shot LeBron James made in the playoffs to beat the Bulls.
It worked like a charm again in Cleveland. James drained a three-pointer with 15 seconds left and finished with 32 points as the Cavaliers tied a franchise record with their 13th straight win, 101-95 over Sacramento on Wednesday night.
James, who changed his sneakers three times, also had 11 rebounds and nine assists, helping the Cavs rally from a 14-point deficit in the third quarter to remain unbeaten since Nov. 11. His decisive three-pointer in the final minute came after James went to the bench during a timeout and told head coach Tyronn Lue to run a play for him.
“Was going to run a different play and then Bron said, ‘I want Chicago.’ So I said, ‘OK,’ ” Lue said. “We got it to him and he made a big shot.”
After catching the inbounds pass, James took a dribble to his left and then stepped behind the arc and knocked down his fifth three-pointer.
Cleveland, which won 13 straight in the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons, will try to break the team record Friday at Indiana.
Zach Randolph had 18 points and 10 rebounds and Buddy Hield added 17 points for the Kings.
Pelicans 123, Nuggets 114: DeMarcus Cousins had 40 points, 22 rebounds and four blocks, and host New Orleans won for the second time in three games without Anthony Davis. Gary Harris scored 24 for shorthanded Demver, which remained without recently injured frontcourt players Nikola Jokic and Paul Millsap.
Celtics 97, Mavericks 90: Kyrie Irving scored 23 points and Jayson Tatum had 17 points and 10 rebounds, helping host Boston, missing Jaylen Brown (inflamed right eye) and Marcus Morris (knee soreness) to its fourth straight victory. Ex-Warriors forward Harrison Barnes led Dallas with 19 points and seven rebounds.
Knicks 99, Grizzlies 88: For host New York, Courtney Lee scored 24 points and Kristaps Porzingis had 18 after a slow start in his return to the lineup from illness and a right ankle sprain.
Bucks 104, Pistons 100: Giannis Antetokounmpo had 25 points and nine rebounds, and host Milwaukee opened the fourth quarter with a 14-1 run to win for the fourth time in five games. Andre Drummond had 27 points and 20 rebounds for Detroit, which lost its fourth straight.
Spurs 117, Heat 105: LaMarcus Aldridge scored 18 points, leading host San Antonio to its sixth win in seven games.
Pacers 98, Bulls 96: In Indianapolis, Victor Oladipo scored 27 points, including a go-ahead three-pointer with 31.1 seconds left, to lift Indiana to the comeback victory. Lowly Chicago (3-20) had led by as many as 17.
Magic 110, Hawks 106: Evan Fournier scored 27 points before departing with a right ankle injury, and host Orlando rallied in overtime. Aaron Gordon had 24 points and 15 rebounds for the Magic. Dennis Schroder led Atlanta with 26 points.
Timberwolves 113, Clippers 107: Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points and 12 rebounds, and visiting Minnesota dealt Los Angeles its fourth straight loss despite 18 points and 21 rebounds from DeAndre Jordan.
Briefly: Phoenix guard Devin Booker is expected to be sidelined two to three weeks with a groin injury . ... Cleveland point guard Isaiah Thomas played 4-on-4, a key step in his recovery from a hip injury that has sidelined him all season . ... Dallas forward Nerlens Noel will have surgery for a torn ligament in his left thumb.