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LeBron unfazed by Cleveland's slide

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS LA CLIPPERS
94 113

LeBron James isn't concerned yet.

The Cavaliers' losing streak is at only two. If it gets to three, James said, there will be something to talk about.

The Los Angeles Clippers know that feeling well.

They passed for a season-high 33 assists yesterday morning (Singapore time) in a 113-94 victory over the Cavaliers that ended their own three-game losing skid.

The Cavs (13-4) endured their second straight defeat on the heels of an upset loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.

"They played desperate basketball with them losing the last three," James said.

"They played some good ball, and we got to figure it out, which we will."

The Clippers held an eight-point lead over the lacklustre champions at half-time and opened the third quarter with a 13-2 scoring run to seize control.

JJ Redick scored 23 points, Chris Paul scored 16 and Blake Griffin scored 13, and matched his career high with 11 assists for the Clippers, who were coming off an embarrassing double-overtime loss in Brooklyn.

Kyrie Irving scored 28 points and James contributed 16 for Cleveland, but the Cavs passed for just 12 assists while committing 18 turnovers.

"I thought it was a team win because I thought every single guy had a contribution," said Clippers coach Doc Rivers, who blasted his team's complacency in the loss to the Nets.

That was never going to happen against the Cavaliers, he added.

"The reason was we respected them," Rivers said.

"They're the Cleveland Cavaliers. They get your attention."

In Los Angeles, the Houston Rockets shot down streaking Golden State, ending the Warriors' 12-game NBA winning streak with a 132-127 double-overtime triumph.

Rockets guard James Harden posted his fourth triple-double of the season, scoring 29 points with 15 rebounds and 13 assists.

Harden connected on a three-pointer to put the Rockets up 126-123 with 3:12 remaining in the second overtime and added two free-throws with 2:10 left.

Eric Gordon stretched the lead with a jump shot and the Warriors couldn't find an answer after losing Stephen Curry less than two minutes into the second extra session when the NBA Most Valuable Player fouled out having scored 28 points.- Wire Services


OTHER RESULTS

  • Utah 110 Miami: 111
  • Memphis 95 Orlando: 94
  • Brooklyn 93 Milwaukee: 111
  • Charlotte 97 Dallas: 87
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