James, Cavs bounce back with 112-105 victory over Hornets

“We didn’t have no toughness, and we didn’t play hard enough, so it’s on all of us”.

The Cavaliers have alternated wins and losses over their last four games, but those two setbacks have come by a combined total of 43 points, 30 at the Los Angeles Clippers (108-78) last Sunday and 13 at the Denver Nuggets (126-113) on Wednesday.

The last time the Cavs and Wizards met, Cleveland pulled out a 140-135 win in overtime in what was one of the best games of the regular season in the National Basketball Association. They walloped Golden State 132-110 on February 13.

The defining play for Jokic was part of what could be considered the defining win of the season for the Nuggets. This will be a good test for us going into the playoff stretch.

“We were aggressive all night”, James said.

What James was saying in the above quote – because he’s made the same point before – is Cleveland’s issue on defense was not about helping teammates or communicating.

“I knew they were going to play well against us”. “It’s like a heavyweight fight and Nikola backing him down to finish, I think the crowd erupted in celebration because it was like a defining moment for Nikola”. Personally? I had opportunities where I could have been better. “I feel really good”. Either way, it will be interesting to see how Sanders looks (if he gets any action) in his second game with the team.

LeBron finished with 24 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists but John Wall, who dropped 37 points and 11 assists, led the Wizards to a 127-115 win.

“Kenneth Faried was phenomenal”, Nuggets coach Michael Malone said.

Kyrie Irving scored 33 points and hit 4-of-5 3-pointers, almost lifting the Cavs to a lead after their big deficit. Cleveland on the other hand has already punched their ticket, but the cavs are still fighting for the top spot in the Eastern Conference with just a slim 1 game lead over the Boston Celtics.

Kevin Love suffered a corneal abrasion during the 2014-15 season with Cleveland that caused him to miss one game. “Tonight we came out with the energy we needed”. “Too many offensive rebounds, too many extra possessions”. They finished with a season-low six turnovers and had 35 assists. So we just got to protect ourselves and protect our brothers if something happens like that.

The Cavaliers are at full health after a season of juggling the lineup with long-term injuries to Love and J.R. Smith, but it didn’t help against the fired-up Nuggets on Wednesday. The Cavaliers, behind Irving’s 19 points, cut the deficit to 73-59 at the break. Both the Mavericks and Trail Blazers are off Thursday night giving Denver a chance to extend their lead once again.

Cody Zeller pulled down a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds in this one.

Nuggets: Danilo Gallinari missed his fourth straight game with a bone bruise on his left knee.

The nature of a tight playoff race is that every game carries heightened significance, but the Nuggets took a few minutes to enjoy beating the Cavaliers.