New York: LeBron James shrugged off setbacks in the form of five absent players and an ill coach with a virtuoso performance on Wednesday, rallying the Cleveland Cavaliers past the NBA Eastern Conference leaders Toronto 132-129.
The three-time NBA champion and four-time NBA Most Valuable Player scored 35 points, passed out 17 assists and had seven rebounds with no turnovers, making the most assists in any NBA game by a player without losing the ball.
“I’ve never seen anything like it, to be perfectly honest with you — 17 assists, 35 points and no turnovers. It’s just amazing,” said Cavaliers associate coach Larry Drew, filling in as Tyronn Lue battles health issues.
“What he does night in and night out, how he sustains it, it’s mind-boggling.”
The Cavaliers, who made four deals to revamp the roster, remain a threat in the East at 42-29, well back of the Raptors’ record of 53-19 but were able to pull back a 79-64 half-time lead before rallying to win.
“We’re working our tails off to keep this ship above water, to keep it running tight with all the changes and all the injuries,” James said.
