NBA game roundup: James’ 36 leads Cavs past Bulls

CHICAGO — LeBron James scored 36 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lift the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 114-108 overtime win against the Chicago Bulls on Friday night.

The Cavaliers overcame a five-point deficit in the final minute of the fourth quarter to force overtime and narrowly avoid their second loss in as many nights. The Bulls faded in overtime, dropping their home opener in front of a sellout crowd of 22,879.

The Bulls played down the stretch without point guard Derrick Rose, who was limited to 25 minutes after he injured his left ankle on an awkward landing in the second quarter. Rose remained in the game after the play but was limited to two points in the second half after scoring 18 in the first half.

Rose and veteran guard Kirk Hinrich led the Bulls with 20 points apiece. Five Cavaliers players scored in double digits, including James with 36 and Kyrie Irving with 23.

Grizzlies 97, Pacers 89

INDIANAPOLIS — Forward Zach Randolph finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds, guard Mike Conley added 17 points and center Marc Gasol added 20 for Memphis is a win over Indiana.

Forward Chris Copeland led Indiana with 16 points.

The Grizzlies franchise is 2-0 for the first time since the 2000-01 season.

Bucks 93, 76ers 81

MILWAUKEE — O.J. Mayo sank five 3-pointers and scored 25 points off the bench to lead Milwaukee to a victory over Philadelphia at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

Mayo scored 10 points in the final quarter en route to his 25, point guard Brandon Knight scored 13 and guard Khris Middleton added 12.

Shooting guard Hollis Thompson led Philadelphia with 15 points. Center Nerlens Noel made 7 of 11 shots to finish with 14 points and also pulled down 10 rebounds while blocking three shots.

Suns 94, Spurs 89

PHOENIX — Phoenix guard Isaiah Thomas had 18 of his 23 points in the second half and

center Alex Len added career highs with 10 points and 11 rebounds as the Suns ended the

game on a 12-2 run and rallied to beat San Antonio.

Forward Markieff Morris added 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Suns, who were 11-18

against Western Conference playoff teams in last year’s 48-win season that wasn’t good

enough to reach the postseason. But their first test this year against the defending NBA

champions had an impressive result.

Tony Parker had 19 points for the Spurs and Tim Duncan added 16 points and nine

rebounds, but the Spurs scored only two points in the final five minutes and couldn’t

hold off the young Suns.

Kings 103, Trail Blazers 94

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Rudy Gay scored a game-high 40 points, and Sacramento saved the game’s final surge for itself in a victory over Portland at Sleep Train Arena.

Gay knocked down his first six shots and finished 13-for-19 from the field in his highest-scoring game with Sacramento since a 41-point effort at New Orleans on Jan. 21.

Center DeMarcus Cousins finished with 17 points and nine rebounds for Sacramento, and blocked shots on consecutive defensive possessions late in the fourth quarter to help the Kings avoid their first 0-2 start at home in more than two decades.

Clippers 118, Lakers 111

LOS ANGELES — Forward Blake Griffin scored 39 points and the Los Angeles Clippers held on for a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Guard Jamal Crawford added 22 points as the Clippers captured their fourth straight win over the Lakers.

Center Jordan Hill scored 23 points, while guard Kobe Bryant had 21 to lead the Lakers.