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NBA game roundup: Heat spoil James’ return
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
MIAMI — LeBron James said he felt butterflies before facing his former team Thursday night. After the game, all he felt was disappointment.
Guard Dwyane Wade scored 31 points, and forward Luol Deng added 25 points, eight rebounds and eight assists as the Miami Heat spoiled James’ return to Miami, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 101-91 at AmericanAirlines Arena.
James, who led the Heat to two NBA titles in the past four years before bolting back to Cleveland as a free agent, scored 30 points and handed out eight assists. Cleveland also got 25 points from guard Kyrie Irving and 14 from forward Kevin Love.
Bulls 113, Lakers 93
CHICAGO — Chicago forward Pau Gasol scored 23 points with 13 rebounds as Chicago cruised to a win against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Guard Jimmy Butler added 21 points for the Bulls (20-9), who extended their winning streak to five games. Guard Derrick Rose scored 20 points with six assists in nearly 32 minutes.
Forward Wesley Johnson led Los Angeles with 19 points. Center Jordan Hill added 16 points for the Lakers, who played the second consecutive game without guard Kobe Bryant, who sat out because of soreness.
Clippers 100, Warriors 86
LOS ANGELES — Reserve guard Jamal Crawford scored 24 points and grabbed seven rebounds, and the Los Angeles Clippers shook off a rough first half to defeat Golden State at Staples Center.
Point guard Chris Paul had 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists and forward Blake Griffin finished with 18 points, 15 rebounds and six assists for the Clippers (20-10), who ended a two-game losing streak. Center DeAndre Jordan added 14 points and 12 rebounds.
Shooting guard Klay Thompson led the Warriors with 15 points, while point guard Stephen Curry finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Forward Harrison Barnes had 12 points and 13 rebounds as Golden State (23-5) dropped its second straight and its third in the past 21 games.
Thunder 114, Spurs 106
SAN ANTONIO — Point guard Russell scored 34 points, helping Oklahoma City defeat San Antonio.
Westbrook also passed for 11 assists.
Forward Serge Ibaka scored 21 points, and center Steven Adams contributed 16 points and 15 rebounds, including seven offensive boards for the Thunder.
Forward Matt Bonner led the Spurs with 17 points. Forward Tim Duncan scored 15, one more than center Tiago Splitter and guard Cory Joseph. Manu Ginobili finished with 11 points and a season-best 13 assists. Spurs forward Boris Diaw sat out due to a fever with a game looming at New Orleans on Friday.
Wizards 102, Knicks 91
NEW YORK — Point guard John Wall totaled 24 points and 11 assists in a wire-to-wire Washington victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Shooting guard Bradley Beal added 17 points
Forward Carmelo Anthony scored 34 points, but New York couldn’t recover from the bad first quarter and a 60-44 halftime deficit.
