CLEVELAND: LeBron James had 22 points, 11 rebounds and six assists and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Big Three combined for 81 points in a hard-fought 106-101 victory Sunday against the Detroit Pistons in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.
The Cavs survived a 3-point onslaught from the Pistons, who made 15 3-pointers and shot 52 percent from deep.
Kevin Love had 28 points and 13 rebounds and Kyrie Irving had 31 points and six assists for the Cavaliers, who trailed by seven with 11 minutes left before rallying behind James.
Game 2 is Wednesday night at Cleveland.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 21 points for the Pistons and Marcus Morris scored 20 — but Morris had just one in the second half.
A 3-pointer from Reggie Bullock with 11:03 left in the fourth quarter matched the Pistons’ largest lead of the game at 83-76, forcing the Cavaliers to call a timeout to get James back in the game. It took him 1:40 to have the game tied at 83, and the Cavs rolled behind their star.
Heat 123, Hornets 91
MIAMI — Luol Deng scored 31 points to help Miami take Game 1 of this first-round series.
Deng shot 11-of-13 from the field and 5-of-7 from 3-point range in his first postseason appearance for the Heat, who never trailed and built a double-digit lead midway through the first quarter.
Hassan Whiteside finished with 21 points, 11 and three blocks in his playoff debut.
Dwyane Wade scored 16 points and Goran Dragic had 10 assists in his Miami playoff debut.
The Heat tied a team playoff record for points in a quarter by taking a 41-22 lead at the end of the first period.
Nicolas Batum scored 24 points and Kemba Walker finished with 19 points for Charlotte.