David Lee (No 10) of the Golden State Warriors shoots over LeBron James (No 23) of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the NBA game at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. (AFP)
DPA /Los Angeles
Arguably the best closer in the game, LeBron James failed to deliver when it mattered most. James scored 37 points but missed a pair of free throws with 4.2 seconds left in overtime, and the Houston Rockets held on for a 105-103 victory over the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, in a physically intense playoff-type matchup.
“There is no excuse, I didn’t come through,” said James, who shot 15-of-35 from the floor and just 3-of-11 from the stripe. Guys put us in position to win, but I missed the two biggest free throws of the game to put us up with seconds on the clock. I failed my teammates.”
League top scorer James Harden had 33 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while Terrence Jones netted 19 for Houston (41-18), winners of five in a row. “It was a good, physical, hard-fought game,” Rockets coach Kevin McHale said. “It was kind of a gritty win for us.”
“King” James missed the game-winner at the end regulation, but his jumper pulled Cleveland to within 104-103 with 43.5 ticks to go in the extra session. The Cavs regained possession when JR Smith poked the ball away from Josh Smith and called a timeout. James dribbled down the clock before drawing a foul on Smith on a drive to the basket.
With a shot to put the Cavs ahead, the four-time league MVP - but a 73-per-cent free throw shooter this season - banged both off the rim. Forced to foul, Harden made the first free throw and intentionally missed the second. Cleveland’s Tristan Thompson grabbed the rebound with three tenths of a second left. Out of timeouts, James Jones’ desperation three-point attempt was blocked by Smith as time expired.
“Coach figured it was best for me to miss it and I listen to my owners,” Harden said. “It was good competition. That’s a very good team out there.”
Kevin Love netted 21 points, Thompson added 14 with a season-high 19 rebounds for the Cavs (37-24), who without All-Star guard Kyrie Irving (right shoulder injury) for the second straight game, fell for just for the fourth time in the last 22 games.
Golden State Warriors 106, Boston Celtics 101: Stephen Curry poured in 37 points, including four free throws in the final 10.5 seconds, and the league-best Warriors (46-11) stormed from 26 down in the second quarter to stun the host Celtics for their second greatest comeback since 2000. Isaiah Thomas scored 20 for Boston (23-34), which had its three-game winning streak stopped.
LA Clippers 96, Chicago Bulls 86: Chris Paul had 28 points and 12 assists, while league top rebounder DeAndre Jordan grabbed 26, helping the visiting Clippers (39-21) beat the injury-decimated Bulls.
Montenegrin rookie big man Nikola Mirotic scored a career-high 29 for Chicago (37-23), playing without Derrick Rose (right knee surgery) Taj Gibson (left ankle sprain) and losing All-Star Jimmy Butler (left elbow sprain) early in the third quarter.
Portland Trail Blazers 110, Sacramento Kings 99: Damian Lillard dropped in 31 points, LaMarcus Aldridge added 26 with 15 rebounds, and the visiting Trail Blazers (39-19) beat the Kings for a third straight victory.
Rudy Gay scored 24 points for Sacramento (20-37), playing without All-Star centre DeMarcus Cousins (ankle sprain and bruised hip) for the second straight game.
Indiana Pacers 94, Philadelphia 76ers 74: George Hill scored 17 points, Roy Hibbert had 14 with 15 rebounds and five blocked shots, and the Pacers (25-34) used a 17-3 closing run to beat the visiting Sixers (13-46) for their eighth win in the last 10 games.
Charlotte Hornets 98, Orlando Magic 83: Mo Williams had 23 points with 11 assists, and the visiting Hornets (24-33) beat the Magic for just their second win in the last eight outings.
Victor Oladipo tallied 21 points for Orlando (19-42), losers of three straight following a season-high three-game success.
Oklahoma City Thunder 108, LA Lakers 101: Serge Ibaka had 18 points and 14 rebounds, Enis Kanter netted 16 with 15 boards, and the Thunder (33-27) beat the Lakers for their eighth win in the last 10 outings despite the absence of All-Stars Kevin Durant (sore right foot) and Russell Westbrook (right cheek surgery)
Jeremy Lin had 20 points, eight assists and six rebounds for the Lakers, (16-42) whose season-high-tying three-game winning streak ended.
New Orleans Pelicans 99, Denver Nuggets 92: Tyreke Evans scored 22 points, Eric Gordon added 18, including the tie-breaking triple midway through the final quarter, and the visiting Pelicans (32-27) beat the reeling Nuggets for a fifth straight win.
Italy’s Danilo Gallinari had 21 points for Denver (20-39), losers of 10 straight at home and 19 of the last 21 overall.