Cleveland Cavaliers, Charlotte Hornets , Dec. 15, 2014
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James dribbles around Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in the first period.
(Gus Chan, The Plain Dealer)
CLEVELAND, Ohio – LeBron James tied a season-high assists and was efficient in all phases of the Cavaliers' 97-88 win over the Charlotte Hornets.
With James' friend and business mentor of sorts Warren Buffett watching, James scored 27 points, registered 13 assists, and grabbed seven rebounds. If Kevin Love (22 points, 18 rebounds) hadn't hogged all the boards (kidding), James might've nabbed his first triple double this season.
Instead, he'll have to settle for a merely complete performance at the start of a five-game homestand.
Here is an instant, quarter-by-quarter briefing on James' performance against the Hornets.
1st Quarter
Stats: 7 pts, 3 rbs, 6 ast, 2-2 FG, 2-2 FT
Highlight: How about assists on five consecutive baskets during the Cavaliers' 21-0 run to begin the game?
Briefing: With Buffett seated on the baseline, James and the Cavaliers could do little wrong. During that 21-point run, James also contributed three rebounds, two blocks, and knocked in two free throws. His three-pointer with 1:22 to go was noteworthy because, well, he added to his lead on Mark Price for all-time threes with the Cavaliers – a record James broke Friday night. Price is an assistant with the Hornets and was on the bench Monday night.
2nd Quarter
Stats: 6 pts, 1 rb, 3 ast, 3-7 FG, 0-0 FT
Highlight: James bowled his way in for a lay-up and then knocked in a 20-footer on consecutive possessions with two minutes left and counting.
Briefing: With 13 points, nine assists, and four rebounds through two quarters, the crowd was already on alert for a triple double. But the 20,562 – Buffett included – in attendance were also keenly aware that the Hornets had made this a game. So close, in fact, that Charlotte cut a one-time 22-point deficit down to three.
3rd Quarter
Stats: 7 pts, 1 rb, 3 ast, 3-5 FG, 1-2 FT
Highlight: Running under a Love fade pass, James caught it and went up for a one-handed jam that was reminiscent of the James of old.
Briefing: James got himself in trouble early in the quarter dribbling too much, and at one point was hit with a charge after he had again dribbled away much of the shot clock. But he regained control as time when along. A pretty finger roll in traffic with 30.7 seconds remaining gave Cleveland a 13-point advantage. He'll need to crash the boards for that triple double.
4th Quarters
Stats: 7 pts, 2 rbs, 1 ast, 3-5 FG, 0-0 FT
Highlight: A step-back jumper with 52.2 seconds to go ended any prayer the Hornets had of a comeback.
Briefing: After James' jumper effectively ended Charlotte's night, James added a three-pointer with 22.8 seconds left to rub it in. No triple double, but a complete game indeed.
Totals: 27 pts, 7 rbs, 13 ast, 11-19 FG, 3-4 FT, 40 min