Cavaliers beat Celtics after a slow start

CLEVELAND — Cleveland’s LeBron James scored 20 of his 28 points in the second half to guide the Cavaliers back from a slow start to a 120-103 win against Boston on Saturday.

The NBA’s Eastern Conference leaders were staring at a rare home loss when they trailed by 18 points in the first quarter but got their act together and pulled out a win that moved the Cavaliers 2-1/2 games clear of Toronto in the contest for the best record in the Eastern Conference.

Elsewhere, San Antonio improved its home record to a remarkable 30-0 by beating Sacramento, Atlanta defeated the Los Angeles Clippers to close in on the Southeast Division lead, and Indiana narrowly beat Washington in a clash of two teams fighting for one of the lower play-off places in the East.

James’ efforts moved him into 14th place in the league’s all-time scoring list, ahead of San Antonio’s Tim Duncan. James also had 11 rebounds. Cleveland had seven other players in double figures, led by Kyrie Irving with 21.

Isaiah Thomas’ 27 points led the Celtics, who had won their previous five games.

A below-strength San Antonio beat Sacramento 104-94 to make it eight straight wins.

Kawhi Leonard had 25 points and 13 rebounds for the Spurs, who were missing regular starters LaMarcus Aldridge (headache), Tim Duncan and Danny Green (rested).

Manu Ginobili added 22 points in his return from a 12-game absence.

DeMarcus Cousins scored 31 points to lead Sacramento.

Atlanta’s Jeff Teague scored 22 points and Paul Millsap had 20 points and a season-high 18 rebounds to lead the Hawks past the Los Angeles Clippers 107-97.

Kent Bazemore added 17 points for the Hawks, who trailed by 17 points before hitting the lead late in the third quarter. They sealed victory with a 19-5 run that turned a six-point deficit with a 101-93 lead with 3:18 to play.

All five starters scored in double figures for the Clippers, including DeAndre Jordan and Chris Paul with 17 each.

Indiana’s Paul George scored 38 points, including two free throws with 3 seconds left to lift the Pacers past Washington 100-99.

John Wall missed a jumper at the buzzer for the Wizards.

George, coming off a 35-point effort on Friday, shot 13 of 22 from the field and converted all eight of his free throws.

Chicago’s Pau Gasol finished with 28 points and 17 rebounds as the Bulls beat Houston 108-100, snapping a four-game losing skid.

New York’s Carmelo Anthony had 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Knicks to a 102-81 victory over Detroit.

Utah’s Derrick Favours had 28 points and 11 rebounds as the Jazz beat New Orleans 106-94 after five successive losses.

Minnesota shot a franchise record 68.4 per cent to beat Brooklyn 132-118, led by 28 points from Karl-Anthony Towns.