Cavs top Raptors, Hawks extend streak
Reigning NBA champions the Cleveland Cavaliers outlasted the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, while the Atlanta Hawks won again.
In an Eastern Conference playoff rematch but the second contest of the season between the two teams, the Cavs emerged 121-117 winners.
LeBron James and Kyrie Irving teamed up to lead the Cavaliers to a third consecutive win.
The Hawks, meanwhile, held off the Miami Heat 93-90 on the road.
Dennis Schroder came up big for Atlanta, who extended their winning streak to five games.
REMATCH, SAME RESULT
The Cavs and the Raptors met last month, a meeting won by Cleveland in Toronto.
Fast-forward more than a fortnight and the Cavs triumphed again, this time on home court at Quicken Loans Arena.
James (28 points, 14 assists) and Irving (24 points) led the way. Kevin Love contributed 19 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double.
DeMar DeRozan had 26 points for the Raptors, while Kyle Lowry scored 28 of his own.
HAWKS SOAR TO STAY HOT
Schroder (18 points) made a pair of free throws with 5.9 seconds remaining to seal Atlanta’s narrow win in Miami.
The Hawks’ win came at a cost after Dwight Howard (11 points, 11 rebounds) sustained a left quad contusion.
Dion Waiters’ three-point attempt on the buzzer was unsuccessful for the Heat (2-8), who were led by Hassan Whiteside’s 19 points and 25 rebounds.
FRYE FROM DOWN TOWN
The @Cavs bench erupts as Channing Frye hits a crucial 3! #DefendTheLand pic.twitter.com/CodoIOtkCa
— NBA (@NBA) November 16, 2016
Wade goes high off the glass on @NBATV! #NBARapidReplay https://t.co/0uXN5X9rsl
— NBA (@NBA) November 16, 2016
BULLS, HORNETS WIN
The Chicago Bulls upstaged the Portland Trail Blazers 113-88.
Kemba Walker posted 30 points as the Charlotte Hornets overcame the Minnesota Timberwolves 115-108, while the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Brooklyn Nets 125-118.
CAVS, WARRIORS, SPURS AND THUNDER HEADLINE WEDNESDAY
It is a bumper schedule with 11 games taking place on Wednesday. Take your pick from the Cavs at the Indiana Pacers, the Golden State Warriors against the Raptors, the San Antonio Spurs at the Sacramento Kings or the Oklahoma City Thunder at home to the Houston Rockets.
