CLEVELAND: LeBron James scored 34 points, including seven in the final 1:22, and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Memphis Grizzlies 116-111 on Saturday night for their 11th straight victory.
Memphis has lost 11 in a row, including three since David Fizdale was fired Monday and replaced by interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff.
James, the reigning NBA Player of the Month, also had 12 assists. Kevin Love added 20 points and 11 rebounds for Cleveland.
The Grizzlies trailed 91-72 late in the third quarter, but rallied all the way to a tie at 109 on Dillon Brooks’ 3-pointer with 2:10 remaining. James’ basket in the lane gave Cleveland the lead.
After Tyreke Evans missed a 3-pointer, James drove the lane, scored and converted the three-point play after being fouled by Brooks with 34 seconds left.
Brooks made two free throws, but James dribbled for several seconds on Cleveland’s next possession and hit a jumper from the top of the key for a five-point lead with 5 seconds to go.
Evans had 31 points and 12 assists for Memphis. Marc Gasol scored 27 and passed 10,000 career points.
LeBron James leads Cavaliers in 11th straight NBA game win
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