James, Frye rally Cavaliers past Hornets, 100-93

By foxsports
Published

CLEVELAND (AP) -- LeBron James sparked a fourth-quarter comeback with 11 points, Channing Frye scored a season-high 20 and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Charlotte Hornets 100-93 on Sunday.

James, who finished with 19 points, also had five assists in the final period. He had eight points on 4-of-15 shooting through three quarters.

Kyrie Irving scored 19 points and Kevin Love added 17, but neither played in the fourth quarter as Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue stuck with the group that helped Cleveland take control of the game.

Kemba Walker scored 21 points for the Hornets, who have lost two straight after starting the season 6-1.

Charlotte led 72-71 after three quarters. Lue began the final period with James, Frye, Iman Shumpert, Richard Jefferson and Jordan McRae. Frye's 3-pointer off James' assist put the Cavaliers ahead 77-74.

James blocked a shot by Frank Kaminsky that led to Jefferson's basket and scored in the lane, putting Cleveland ahead 81-76. He also hit a 3-pointer and found Frye for another 3 that stretched the lead to 89-80 midway through the quarter.

Charlotte cut the margin to 94-90, but James hit a 3-pointer and a free throw as Cleveland put away the game.

Frye was 7 of 15 from the field, including 6 of 12 on 3-pointers.

Love had 15 points and four rebounds in the first quarter. Cleveland led 32-22 at the end of the period when James went to the bench for a rest. The Hornets took a three-point lead before James returned midway through the second.

Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith didn't play because of a sore right ankle, which he tweaked Friday against Washington.

Charlotte forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist scored 11 points after missing Friday's game against Toronto with a sore back.

TIP-INS

Hornets: Coach Steve Clifford was given a technical foul in the second quarter. ... C Spencer Hawes missed a breakaway dunk as time ran down in the second. ... G Jeremy Lamb (strained left hamstring) is participating in non-contact drills and could play Friday when Charlotte hosts Atlanta. He has missed six games.

Cavaliers: G Mike Dunleavy started in place of Smith and scored two points on 1 of 6 from the field. ... Irving was replaced after picking up his second foul midway through the first quarter ... Cleveland made 12 of 22 shots in the first quarter.

UP NEXT

Hornets: Visit Minnesota on Tuesday. Charlotte has won five straight over the Timberwolves, including two on the road.

Cavaliers: Host Toronto on Tuesday. Cleveland, which beat the Raptors in six games to win the 2016 Eastern Conference finals, defeated Toronto 94-91 in the second game of the season.