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SPORTSMonday 14 March 2016
Cavaliers bury
Clippers 114-90
behind 3-pointers
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James reacts after dunking during the first half of an NBA bas- By BETH HARRIS there was no fight once
AP Sports Writer they punched back.’’
ketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Los Angeles, Sunday, March 13, 2016. LOS ANGELES (AP) -- There’s J.J. Redick scored 19 points,
something about play- and Chris Paul added 17
Associated Press ing the Los Angeles Clip- points and 10 assists for the
pers that brings out a ca- Clippers. They outscored
sual lack of concern in the the Cavs 17-7 to start the
Cavaliers. game, but James tied it
LeBron James scored 27 on a 3-pointer, and Tristan
points and Cleveland Thompson’s hook gave the
buried the Clippers with Cavs the lead for good by
3-pointers in a 114-90 vic- the end of the quarter.
tory Sunday, tying their sea- ‘’They moved the ball
son high with 18 from long well, they defended, they
range. stopped us, they got out in
James & Co. played with transition and we let them
an obvious ease at Staples be too comfortable,’’ Paul
Center, where they are 7-2 said.
against the Clippers since Kevin Love, who finished
the 2006-07 season. They with 12 points and nine re-
were coming off a 12-point bounds after sitting out the
win over the Lakers three previous game with a left
days earlier in which they knee sprain, launched the
made 16 3-pointers. Cavs on a 30-6 run over the
‘’We came out and took end of the first and start of
care of business,’’ James the second quarter that
said. ‘’We’re getting into pushed their lead to 37-23.
form right now. We’ve got Frye had three of his 3s in
a great rotation going right that stretch.
now. The guys are healthy ‘’We have a thing now
and we’re just trying to play where if you have any
the game the right way.’’ airspace and that shot is
J.R. Smith and Kyrie Ir- there, you are taking it,’’
ving added 17 points each, Love said.
and reserve Channing The Clippers closed to 43-
Frye had 15 on a season- 38 with a 15-6 spurt, helped
high-tying five 3-pointers by 3-pointers from Jamal
for the Eastern Conference Crawford and two in a row
leaders. Frye also had five from Paul. But that was their
3s against the Lakers in a last run of the game.
game he started. The Cavs answered with
‘’Channing coming out a 15-3 run, including 10 by
and making those threes James, to close the half
kind of became conta- leading 58-41. James had
gious,’’ Cavs coach Tyronn two three-point plays, the
Lue said. ‘’LeBron set the first on a driving layup in
tone early with his pace, which he slapped his right
getting rebounds, pushing biceps when he drew a
it. It wasn’t all for himself. foul call, and the second
He got the other guys in- on a dunk.
volved making shots.’’ Cleveland hit eight 3-point-
The Cavs won their third ers in the third, including
straight and improved to four in a row, when its lead
20-6 against the West, in- reached 91-68.
cluding 10-4 on the road. Irving was the only Cleve-
As comfy as the Cavs were land starter on the floor
in the opposition’s house, in the fourth, and he sat
the Clippers were awk- down after scoring seven
ward. They fell to 22-12 at in a row, capped by - what
home. else - a 3-pointer. James
‘’We should have more Jones hit the Cavs’ 18th
pride,’’ said DeAndre Jor- 3-pointer with 31 seconds
dan, who had 11 points and left, the most the Clippers
11 rebounds. ‘’We started have given up this season.q
out the game great, but