The Cavaliers took control midway through the first quarter and quickly built a double-digit lead en route to a victory that built their lead in the Central Division while dropping the Hawks out of top spot in the Southeast. “Hockey sub”, Blatt joked of James’ tantrum.
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With the recent coaching issues other teams are having, including the pink slip on Kevin McHale formerly of the Houston Rockets, James gave a vote of confidence for Cleveland Coach David Blatt. “We’ve been in this situation since Day 1 of this year”.
LeBron James scored 27 points, Kevin Love added 22 points and 15 rebounds and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 115-100. Nevertheless, through Mo Williams, Jared Cunningham and J.R. Smith, Cleveland must table off Orlando’s back-court play in order to win.
“He threw me out and that’s his prerogative”, said Budenholzer, who said he didn’t get an explanation for the ejection. We get together, we talk about what we need to talk about, coach draws up the plays and the assignment and we get right to work. Seemingly out of frustration, James headed to the bench without the proper protocol of player substitutions.
“He was frustrated”, Blatt said.
“It’s quite challenging, as we are the only team that has not had out whole team play just yet”.
The Cavaliers have been off to a strong start and the team has done it without a few key players, including Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert.
“I didn’t get a lot [of explanation]”, Budenholzer said of his ejection after the game. He added, “I’m looking forward to being back with my teammates soon, and just doing everything possible to get back on the court”. Sacramento led by as many as 16 points in the final period.
The Hawks, who had to heat up to shoot. Entering the night, no one in the National Basketball Association had taken more than six 3s this season without a make. LaMarcus Aldridge was a late scratch with a sprained left ankle, his first missed game with San Antonio.
“It’s not easy. It’s really tough because as a player you want to play, especially when you feel like you’re not done, like you can still play”, Varejao said. Center Timofey Mozgov won’t play because of a strained right shoulder. Porzingis is the first Knicks rookie since Patrick Ewing in 1985 to score at least 80 points and grab at least 60 rebounds through the first seven games of a season. James is 31 now and maybe not quite as quick as he used to be, but he’s still a human tank who we aren’t used to seeing so easily brushed aside by a gangly 21-year-old. Like him on Facebook and follow him @RickNoland on Twitter.
ABOUT THE HAWKS (9-5): Atlanta lost small forward DeMarre Carroll – its best defensive option against Cleveland star LeBron James – to free agency and has been experimenting with Paul Millsap at the No. 3 spot in bigger lineups and Kyle Korver or Bazemore sliding over in smaller sets with Teague in the backcourt. Totals 32-86 22-25 97.
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LeBron James had a typically stellar all-around game Saturday, as his Cleveland Cavaliers easily beat the Atlanta Hawks, 109-97.
