CLEVELAND – Forward LeBron James scored 31 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter, and the Cleveland Cavaliers survived a 118-114 victory against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday because of the brute strength of their best player.
The Cavaliers trailed by as many as nine in the fourth, but James stole a pass and dribbled the length of the floor for an impressive three-point play to pull the Cavs within 95-94. Jazz guard Rodney Hood did his best to wrap up James and prevent the shot, but James powered through for the basket and foul.
The play revived the slumbering Cavaliers, who remained unbeaten at home (5-0) with their seventh straight victory, but had to work for it on a night they were sloppy with the ball (16 turnovers) and off rhythm most of the night.
James added eight assists and seven rebounds, while guard Mo Williams recorded 29 points, six rebounds and six assists. He made his first eight shots and didn’t miss until 1:37 remained in the game. Kevin Love had 22 points and eight rebounds for the Cavaliers while reaching a unique milestone.
Alec Burks scored 24 points off the bench for the Jazz, while Derrick Favors scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Center Rudy Gobert had 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists while Hood fouled out with 16 points.
Hood responded to James’ power play by stroking a 3-pointer at the other end, but it was the only basket the Jazz scored for nearly five minutes in the fourth quarter. The drought allowed the Cavaliers to regain the lead.
A basket by Favors in the post pulled the Jazz within 107-105 with 1:07 to play. James called Tristan Thompson out to set a screen before blowing through the Jazz defense for the uncontested basket and Favors missed a pair of free throws at the other end to leave the Jazz trailing 109-105.
Tristan Thompson’s three-point play with 15 seconds left – after James split a double team and dribbled away before he could be fouled – clinched the win.
Love made a pair of 3-pointers to join Hall of Famer Larry Bird as the only players in NBA history to make at least 600 3-pointers while averaging at least 10 rebounds.
Bird ended his career with 649 3-pointers while averaging 10 rebounds. Love began the night averaging 11.8 rebounds for his career.
This is the first stop on Utah’s four-game swing through the East.
NOTES: Jazz coach Quinn Snyder spent the 2012-13 season coaching Cavaliers C Sasha Kaun as an assistant with CSKA Moscow. … The Jazz have the league’s fourth-youngest roster, which is why Snyder laughed when asked if the Cavaliers serve as a measuring stick. “We’re too young to even have a measuring stick,” he said. “We’re still in the phase where you measure yourself against a wall in your house, then mark it down.” … Cavaliers G J.R. Smith returned to the starting lineup after missing three games with a bruised knee and quadriceps tendinitis. Smith still can’t pinpoint when he injured the knee and believes it was just wear and tear over time. … Cavaliers coach David Blatt said G Matthew Dellavedova has been battling knee and ankle issues this season.