CLEVELAND — Kevin Love scored 18 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, and LeBron James had 22 points and 12 assists in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 115-102 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday.
The Cavs won for the 13th time in the past 14 meetings against the Clippers and improved to 18-3 against them all time at Quicken Loans Arena.
Chris Paul had 30 points and nine assists, including 12 consecutive points in the first quarter to keep Los Angeles close. However, Cleveland’s defense stiffened after the first quarter, and the Cavaliers’ hacking strategy on Los Angeles’ DeAndre Jordan in the second half worked perfectly.
Jordan, a 42 percent shooter from the line this season, shot 6-for-15 from the line and finished with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
Pelicans 115, Pistons 99
NEW ORLEANS — Anthony Davis scored 32 points, including 15 in the Pelican’s season-best, 72-point first half, to power New Orleans to a victory over Detroit.
The Pelicans won for the fourth time in five games and for the seventh consecutive time against the Pistons. Tyreke Evans scored 22 points and had 10 assists, and Ryan Anderson added 13 points for New Orleans.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope led the Pistons with 23 points. Guard Brandon Jennings had 20 points, and center Andre Drummond had 19 points and 22 rebounds.