Despite the Cavaliers’ stellar record three weeks into the season, the recipe has been pretty similar from game-to-game: A major helping of the Big Three with a dash of J.R. Smith and pinch of key plays from the bench.
But the home cookin’ had a little different flavor on Sunday afternoon – with Cleveland’s bench leading the way as the Cavaliers moved to an Eastern Conference-best 8-1, taking the 100-93 decision at The Q.
Channing Frye – who’s now scored in double-figures in five of his last six outings – scored 11 of his team-high 20 points in the fourth quarter, going 7-for-15 from the floor, including 6-of-12 from beyond the arc to go with three boards and three blocks.
Frye was on the floor when the final buzzer sounded, as Coach Lue rode with his reserves down the stretch. The quintet on the floor in the closing moments for Cleveland included Frye, LeBron James, Jordan McRae, Richard Jefferson and Iman Shumpert.
Shumpert was outstanding again on Sunday afternoon – notching 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting, including 3-of-5 from long-distance to go with three boards, a pair of assists and a steal.
Shumpert was one of the heroes of Friday night’s win in Washington, clamping down on John Wall in the second half after his 23-point outburst in the first. On Sunday, he helped hold Kemba Walker – who went off for 40 points two nights earlier – to just eight points after intermission.
Of course, none of this reflects on the efficiency of the Big Three – each of whom were rock-solid again on Sunday afternoon.
LeBron finished with 19 points, eight boards and eight assists – going 8-of-21 from the floor and 2-of-5 from deep.
Kyrie Irving had 19 points of his own on 8-for-17 shooting, adding four assists, three boards and a steal.
Kevin Love doubled-up in his fourth straight contest – finishing with 17 points, 11 boards and four assists.
J.R. Smith missed Sunday afternoon’s contest after tweaking his right ankle on Friday night in Washington, with Mike Dunleavy getting the start in his place.
Tristan Thompson led both squads with 12 boards and Richard Jefferson grabbed eight off the bench for Cleveland, which outrebounded the Hornets, 53-45, and held a 16-9 advantage on second-chance scoring.
Neither team led by more than four points in the third quarter and the Cavaliers would eventually extend their lead to 11 – 91-80 – late in the fourth. The Hornets cut their lead to just four with under two minutes to play on Marvin Williams three-pointer, but that was as close as they’d get the rest of the way.
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