LeBron James shrugged off his recent illness to post 24 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers outlasted the Milwaukee Bucks 102-95 on Monday.
Reigning NBA finals MVP James added 10 rebounds and six assists as Cleveland bounced back from Saturday’s defeat to Chicago to cement their place at the top of the Eastern Conference.
The Cavaliers improved to 41-17 with the win as Cleveland completed a strong February which saw them compile a 9-2 record over the month.
Kyrie Irving led the scoring with 25 points and nine assists, his ninth consecutive game with at least 20 points.
Derrick Williams (14) and Kyle Korver (13) also provided useful points off the bench along with Richard Jefferson who added 11.
Malcolm Brogdon led the Bucks scoring with 20 points while Giannis Antetokounmpo had a poor night, making just four of 13 attempts.
Antetokounmpo finished with only nine points, along with seven rebounds and eight assists, despite 42 points on court.
Bucks offense was limited after forward Michael Beasley was helped off with what was later described as a knee sprain early in the second quarter.
Beasley had earlier looked in lively form, scoring 11 points in the opening exchanges.
The game was effectively settled in the mid part of the fourth quarter, when Cleveland put together an 11-0 scoring run to put clear daylight between themselves and the Bucks.
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