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Spoiled homecoming: New York Knicks stun LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

By Allsports.com.gh
Sports News Spoiled homecoming: New York Knicks stun LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
OCT 31, 2014 LISTEN

James, who was born in Akron, Ohio, 64 kilometres south of Cleveland, struggled in his competitive return to his first NBA team, as the Cavaliers were surprisingly beaten 95-90 at Quick Loans Arena.

The four-time NBA MVP, who decided to leave the Miami Heat after two NBA championships, was well below his best against the Knicks.

James posted 17 points, five rebounds and four assists but had eight turnovers.

While James struggled, Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony starred for the visitors, who outscored the Cavaliers 53-46 in the second half.

Anthony, who also had the option to leave New York as a free agent but opted to remain at Madison Square Garden, and he scored a game-high 25 points, while also producing six assists, in a dominant display for New York.

Iman Shumpert and Jason Smith contributed 12 points apiece for the visitors.

Cleveland point guard Kyrie Irving was a shining light, sinking 22 points and notching seven assists, while the Cavaliers' other star recruit Kevin Love produced a double-double (19 points and 14 rebounds) on debut.

A big first half inspired the Dallas Mavericks to a 120-102 victory over the Utah Jazz.

The Mavericks scored 69 points in the first two quarters, outscoring the youthful Jazz by 25, to bounce back from their season-opening loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

Chandler Pars and Dirk Nowitzki both had 21 points for the rampant Mavericks.

Al-Farouq Aminu (16 points and 10 rebounds), Monta Ellis (14 points), Brandan Wright (14 points), Tyson Chandler (13 points) and Devin Harris (12 points) also reached double figures.

Utah - winless after two games this season - were led by Derrick Favors' 17 points and 11 boards.

In other results, the Los Angeles Clippers trumped the Oklahoma City Thunder 93-90.

Big games from star duo Blake Griffin (23 points) and Chris Paul (22 points) saw the Clippers to victory in Los Angeles.

Perry James starred with 32 points for the Thunder, who lost Russell Westbrook to injury in the second quarter.

The Washington Wizards beat the Orlando Magic 105-98, while the Detroit Pistons lost 97-91 to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

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