LOS ANGELES — LeBron James scored 27 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers crushed the Los Angeles Clippers 114-90 Sunday at Staples Center.
J.R. Smith, who hit five 3-pointers, and Kyrie Irvine added 17 points apiece for the Cavaliers (47-18), who won their third straight and sixth win in seven games. They also swept the season series. The Cavaliers posted a 115-102 victory on Jan. 21 at Cleveland.
Cleveland’s Channing Frye contributed 15 points, all coming via 3-pointers, and Kevin Love chipped in 12 points, all in the first half, and nine rebounds. Tristan Thompson had 10 points and 11 boards.
James, who also had six rebounds and five assists, passed Kevin Johnson for 19th place on the NBA’s all-time assists list.
J.J. Redick had 19 points to pace the Clippers (42-23), who have lost three of their last five. Chris Paul collected 17 points, 10 assists and five rebounds for Los Angeles. DeAndre Jordan finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds while Wesley Johnson and Austin Rivers also scored 11 points each.
The Clippers slipped to 1 1/2 games behind the Oklahoma City for the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference race.
Cleveland made 18 of 37 (48.6 percent) from 3-point range compared to 10 of 32 (31.3 percent) for Los Angeles. The Cavaliers shot 48.8 percent from the floor to 40.5 percent for the Clippers. The Cavs also commanded the battle on the boards (49-34) and second-chance points (15-0).
A pivotal 30-6 run between the first and second quarters bolted the Cavaliers past the Clippers for a 37-23 edge after a 3-pointer by Irving with 7:31 left before halftime. The Cavs led 58-41 at the break.
In the third quarter, three Redick foul shots cut the Cavaliers’ lead to 71-59 with 4:12 remaining in the period. However, Cleveland increased the margin to as much as 25 with another surge.
Back-to-back 3-pointers by Frye and Matthew Dellavedova put the Cavaliers up 88-63 with 1:05 remaining in the third. Overall, the Cavs closed the quarter with four consecutive 3-pointers – Smith and James each hit one – for a 91-68 advantage heading into the final quarter.
NOTES: Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue faced his mentor, Doc Rivers, for the first time since assuming the head job with the Cavaliers. Lue spent five seasons as an assistant to Rivers, first with the Boston Celtics and then with the Clippers. “Having a chance and an opportunity to go up against him tonight seems surreal,” said Lue, who frequently exchanges texts and phone calls with Rivers. … Injured PF Blake Griffin (partially torn quad tendon/broken right hand) continues to be bothered by his quad, according to Rivers. Griffin’s return remains unknown. … Clippers F Paul Pierce (sore big right toe) missed his second consecutive game. … Clippers rookie forward Branden Dawson was arrested on Sunday morning on suspicion of felony domestic violence, according to published reports. Dawson was recalled from the D-League’s Erie BayHawks on Saturday. … Cleveland was 15-3 against the Clippers since the 2006-07 season entering the game. … The Cavaliers play at Utah against the Jazz on Monday. The Clippers visit the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday.