James makes triple-double for Cavs to cruise past Suns

[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]

[av_heading heading=’James makes triple-double for Cavs to cruise past Suns’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’18’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”][/av_heading]

[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
Thursday, March 15, 2018
[/av_textblock]

[av_textblock size=’18’ font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]

PHOENIX – After a couple of tough losses in Los Angeles, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers went to the desert and took care of Phoenix. The Suns offered little resistance.

In a performance that seemed almost effortless against an outmatched opponent, James earned his 69th career triple-double in a 129-107 victory that was never close after the first few minutes.

James, averaging a triple-double over his last 15 games, had 28 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. It was his second triple-double in 10 days and No. 14 this season.

“I was playing all three facets and more,” he said. “I picked up a charge as well, a couple of blocks, a couple of steals, just being around the court and reliable for my teammates. Being able to clean glass, get my guys good looks where they are able to catch and shoot or catch it and lay it up, makes it a lot easier for me.”

Jordan Clarkson scored 23 points and Kyle Korver had 22 for the Cavaliers, who bounced back from losses to the Clippers and Lakers with a dominating victory. Korver went 5 for 6 from 3-point range in his first start of the season.

“I’m always trying to find the open spot,” Korver said. “(James) commands a lot of attention. We had a couple of sets where we tried to get up a couple of shots for me. A lot of it was just playing the game and readying the game.”

T.J. Warren and Josh Jackson scored 19 apiece and Devin Booker added 17 for the Suns, losers of six straight and 21 of their last 23. Phoenix became the first team to lose 50 games this season.

Cleveland led from the opening basket. The Cavs scored nine straight to go up 23-8 on Larry Nance Jr.’s dunk, and Phoenix never got the lead to single digits again.

The Suns shot just 26 percent, including 1 of 9 on 3-pointers, and trailed 38-18 after one quarter.

The Cavs, who made 17 of 35 3-pointers, led by as many as 27 in the second half, with James delivering the biggest highlight on a breakaway, one-handed windmill dunk after a Phoenix turnover in the third quarter. (AP)
[/av_textblock]

[/av_one_full]