CLEVELAND — LeBron James had 25 points and nine assists and the Cleveland Cavaliers survived a late charge for a 114-107 victory Monday against the Minnesota Timberwolves for Tyronn Lue’s first victory as a head coach.
A three-point play from Zach LaVine pulled the Timberwolves within 110-107 with 16.5 seconds left. But James sealed the win with a pair of free throws at the other end.
Rookie center Karl Anthony-Towns had 26 points and 11 rebounds and Andrew Wiggins had 20 points for the Timberwolves, who were trying to win consecutive games for just the second time since November.
Celtics 116, Wizards 91
WASHINGTON — Isaiah Thomas continued to torment Washington with 23 points and nine assists as Boston finished off a four-game season of the Wizards.
Evan Turner scored 18 points for the Celtics, who outscored the Wizards 63-42 in the second half and led by as many as 27 points in their third straight win.
Washington played its first game since Wednesday. The massive snowstorm that dropped over two feet of snow throughout the D.C. area over the weekend led to the NBA postponing Saturday’s home game against the Utah Jazz. The layoff may have sapped any momentum following Wednesday’s 106-87 drubbing of the Miami Heat.
Heat 89, Bulls 84
CHICAGO — Dwyane Wade scored a game-high 28 points and grabbed seven rebounds, and Miami rallied past Chicago.
Chris Bosh scored 18 points and pulled down seven rebounds. Amare Stoudemire added eight points and 10 rebounds for Miami, which snapped a four-game losing streak.
Bulls guard Derrick Rose left the game late in the second quarter because of injuries to his lower back and right hamstring. Rose missed three games earlier this season because of a right hamstring injury.