Fans revolt as Cavs outclass Lakers
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers outclassed the Los Angeles Lakers 102-87 in Friday’s clash of NBA divisional leaders, leaving Lakers fans to litter the court in frustration.
Mo Williams scored 28 points and LeBron James added 26 for Cleveland in a game that ended with Lakers fans throwing dozens of giveaway foam hands onto the court.
The Cavaliers dominated the Lakers with sharp shooting and physical defence, prompting several technical fouls and retaliation hits.
The crowd lost its Christmas spirit with four minutes left when an ejection and another technical on the Lakers’ bench prompted many fans to throw their pregame presents onto the court.
After another foul moments later, several more foam hands were thrown, along with a full water bottle.
Kobe Bryant scored 35 points for the Lakers, who lost only their second game in the past 18.
Celtics 86, Magic 77
In Orlando, Florida, Boston bullied Orlando with strong defence, prevailing in a meeting of the Eastern Conference leaders.
Rajon Rondo had 17 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, and Ray Allen added 18 points for the Celtics, who rolled to their 14th win in the past 15 games.
The only big blow for the Celtics came in the final minutes, when Kevin Garnett landed awkwardly and tumbled to the ground. Garnett hobbled back to the bench holding his back and didn’t return.
Vince Carter finished with 27 points for Orlando.
Trail Blazers 107, Nuggets 96
In Portland, Oregon, Brandon Roy overcame the effects of a shoulder injury to shoot 41 points and lead Portland over Denver.
Roy, who missed Wednesday’s win at San Antonio, had 25 points in the first half and made a career-high 16 field goals for Portland, which has won four straight despite a spate of injuries.
Steve Blake added a season-high 17, hitting five 3-pointers, including three in the final four minutes as the Blazers pulled away.
Carmelo Anthony had 32 points and nine rebounds for the Northwest Division-leading Nuggets, who have dropped four straight road games.
Suns 124, Clippers 93
In Phoenix, the hosts won their sixth straight game against Los Angeles.
Amare Stoudemire scored 26 points, and Jared Dudley and J.R. Richardson each added 18 points for the Suns in their most lopsided victory this season.
Rasual Butler scored 22 points for the Clippers.
Heat 93, Knicks 87
In New York, the home team’s three-game winning run was ended by Miami.
Dwyane Wade had 30 points and nine rebounds, while Michael Beasley scored 13 of his 19 points after halftime for the Heat, who opened a comfortable lead by limiting New York to 31 points across the middle two quarters.
Danilo Gallinari scored 26 points for the Knicks, who had a six-game home winning streak snapped.