NBA: LeBron James is unable to prevent Cavaliers suffering defeat at Pelicans
Last Updated: 13/12/14 8:49am
LeBron James returned from a one-game absence but failed to inspire the Cleveland Cavaliers as they suffered a second consecutive loss, losing 119-114 to the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.
James, who sat out Thursday night's 103-94 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder with knee soreness, returned to pour in 41 points.
However, it was not enough as Tyreke Evans collected 31 points and 10 assists and Ryan Anderson scored 30 for the Pelicans.
The Atlanta Hawks claimed a ninth straight win as Paul Millsap scored 23 and Al Horford 17 in an 87-81 triumph over the Orlando Magic.
The New York Knicks finally ended what had become a 10-game losing streak as they beat the Boston Celtics 101-95 behind 22 points from Carmelo Anthony and 20 from Amare Stoudemire - only their second road win of the season.
Kobe Bryant moved another step closer to Michael Jordan on the NBA's all-time scoring chart with 22 points as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the San Antonio Spurs 112-110 after overtime. Nick Young led the Lakers with 29 points, while Bryant's 22 leaves him eight shy of Jordan for third place on the career scoring list.
Season-high
NBA Results:
Celtics 95 NY Knicks 101
Brooklyn Nets 88 Philadelphia 76ers 70
Chicago Bulls 115 Portland Trail Blazers 106
Memphis Grizzlies 113 Charlotte Hornets 107
Minnesota Timberwolves 92 Oklahoma City Thunder 111
New Orleans Pelicans 119 Cleveland Cavaliers 114
Phoenix Suns 103 Detroit Pistons 105
San Antonio Spurs 110 LA Lakers 112
Toronto Raptors 106 Indiana Pacers 94
Utah Jazz 95 Miami Heat 100
Washington Wizards 104 LA Clippers 96
Derrick Rose had a season-high 31 points to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 115-106 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Chicago overcame big nights for Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard, who scored 35 each.
Russell Westbrook was the star of the show for the Oklahoma City Thunder, scoring 34 as they beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 111-92, while the Brooklyn Nets beat the Philadelphia 76ers 88-70 behind 18 points and 10 rebounds from Mason Plumlee.
Bradley Beal scored 29 points while John Wall collected 10 points and 11 assists to lift the Washington Wizards to a 104-96 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Indiana Pacers slumped to a seventh straight loss as the Toronto Raptors beat them 106-94, with Lou Williams scoring 26.
It took two overtimes but the Memphis Grizzlies eventually overcame the Charlotte Hornets 113-107. Mike Conley scored six of his 19 points in the second overtime to make the difference for Memphis, who had trailed for much of the second half.
Andre Drummond's free throw with 2.5 seconds left iced a 105-103 win for the Detroit Pistons over the Phoenix Suns.
A season-high 29 points from Dwyane Wade saw the Miami Heat beat the Utah Jazz 100-95.
