The Cleveland Cavaliers (30-11) defeated the Los Angeles Clippers (27-15) 115-102 on Thursday.
A common tenet of success across most team sports is that collective balance usually triumphs over remarkable individual performances, and such was the case Thursday. Although the visiting Clippers received a 30-point, nine-assist effort from Chris Paul, the rest of the All-Star point guard's teammates didn't come close to approximating his output. Only two other starters managed double-digit scoring, putting an inordinate amount of responsibility on Paul. Meanwhile, all five Cavaliers starters tallied double-digit scoring, and two of them, Kevin Love and LeBron James, also posted double-doubles. Cleveland shot 50.6 percent from the field overall, and 46.4 percent from beyond the arc.
Paul added three rebounds, three steals and a block to his scoring and assist totals. J.J. Redick was next in line, registering a respectable 17 points, but only adding two rebounds to his stat line. DeAndre Jordan put together a 10-point, 13-rebound double-double, and Jamal Crawford paced the Clippers' reserves with 16 points and a steal. Paul Pierce notably was scoreless over 17 minutes as a starter, with only an assist and a steal to his credit on the night.
Despite the loss, Los Angeles remains in second place in the Western Conference's Pacific Division. They head to New York to take on the Knicks on Friday night.
Cleveland's attack was spearheaded by a pair of 22-point efforts from James and J.R. Smith. The former added 12 assists and five rebounds, while the latter supplemented his points with a pair of rebounds and a pair of assists. Kyrie Irving bounced back from two single-digit scoring performances to post 21 points, four assists, two rebounds and a steal. Love put together a second consecutive double-double, collecting 18 points and hauling in 16 boards. He also added a pair of assists and a steal. Timofey Mozgov registered his second straight 11-point, five-rebound outing to round out a successful night for the starters. Tristan Thompson was a force on the glass while leading the Cavs' reserves, totaling 12 rebounds and adding eight points.
With the victory, Cleveland remains atop the Eastern Conference's Central Division. They remain home to face off against the Bulls on Saturday night.
