CLEVELAND — LeBron James scored 31 points and finished a month averaging a triple-double for the first time in his career, and the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Brooklyn Nets 129-123 on Tuesday night.

James had 12 rebounds and 11 assists for his 12th triple-double of the season and 67th of his career. He also reached 8,000 assists and became the first player in NBA history to reach that milestone, along with 30,000 points and 8,000 rebounds.

Rodney Hood’s three-point play with 40 seconds remaining gave Cleveland a 123-121 lead. James and George Hill hit two free throws each in the final 16 seconds to seal the win.

Jarrett Allen’s two free throws gave Brooklyn a 119-117 lead with 1:18 to play. Jordan Clarkson’s 3-pointer put Cleveland ahead, but Allen Crabbe’s runner in the lane put the Nets up 121-120.

Hood hit a jumper from the wing and made the foul shot that gave Cleveland a two-point lead. D’Angelo Russell attempted to draw a foul but barely got off a wild shot from the corner, which led to James’ foul shots.

HORNETS 118, BULLS 103: Kemba Walker scored 31 points and Dwight Howard added 24 after returning from a first-quarter back injury as Charlotte beat visiting Chicago to win its season-best fifth game in a row.

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Zach LaVine led seven Bulls players in double figures with 21 points as Chicago (20-41) dropped its fifth straight game.

The Hornets improved to 28-33 as their suddenly hot shooting helped them continue their push to make the playoffs.

In all, Charlotte sank 53.7 percent of its field-goal attempts, and 42.9 percent from 3-point range.

Walker hit 11 of 19 attempts – including 6 of 10 of 3-pointers – while Howard missed only two shots in 12 attempts. Nicolas Batum also added 10 points, 12 assist and seven rebounds.

HEAT 102, 76ERS 101: Dwyane Wade scored a season-high 27 points, the last of those coming on a jumper that gave Miami its only lead of the fourth quarter with 5.9 seconds left, as Miami beat visiting Philadelphia.

Wade had 15 of his points in the fourth quarter, and the Heat won a game where they never led by more than three.

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NOTES

CAVALIERS: Cleveland indefinitely banned a fan from its arena for making racial taunts at San Antonio’s Patty Mills.

Security officials reviewed videotape from Sunday’s game and identified the fan sitting near the court. He yelled at Mills while the Spurs guard was shooting free throws in the fourth quarter.

The team did not disclose his name or details about him. He is barred from events at Quicken Loans Arena, with the team to review the ban after one year.


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