LeBron's 40-Point Triple-Double Leads Cavs at Home
LeBron James has added another element to his game this season, as if he doesn't already have enough, and that's the recent triple-double trend. He went off on Monday night for 40 points in a triple-double effort to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers over the Milwaukee Bucks, 124-117. James added 12 rebounds and 10 assists, as the Cavaliers also welcomed back Kevin Love to their starting lineup. Playing in his first game since January 30th due to a hand injury, Love had 18 points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes on the floor. Love's return, along with James's big night, helped the Cavaliers move on from the tough news that head coach Tyronn Lue took a leave due to personal health issues. The head coach expects to be back with the team in one week, but Larry Drew will take over in the interim. LeBron's big night had Giannis Antetokounmpo scratching his head after the game, as the star questioned what he did wrong since that was the first time an opposing player put up 40 on him. He did finish with 37 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, but just like mostly everyone else, he was no match for "King James." James will lead his team into a showdown with the East's best Toronto Raptors at home on Wednesday night, while the Bucks return home to play host to the Los Angeles Clippers that same night.
Dragic, Heat Outlast Nuggets in Double Overtime Thriller
Two teams that are battling for playoff spots and positioning went to battle with a playoff atmosphere on Monday night in South Beach. The Miami Heat, playing without both Hassan Whiteside due to a hip injury and Dwayne Wade due to a hamstring injury, outlasted the Denver Nuggets with a 149-141 double overtime win on their home floor. The 149 points is a franchise record for points in a game, which was previously set by the LeBron James-led Heat in 2013. James Johnson led the charged with a career-high 31 points, along with 11 rebounds on Monday, while Kelly Olynyk added 30 points for Miami, who moved ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks for the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. The Heat shot 54 percent overall, including 51 percent from three-point range on 20 made three-pointers. That mark is good for second place in franchise history, as Wayne Ellingon chipped in with 23 points on the night. The Nuggets could not pull off a thrilling win despite Nikola Jokic's 34 points and 14 rebounds. Wilson Chandler added 26 points, Jamal Murray had 23, and Will Barton finished with 22 for Denver, who remains two games back for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. They were playing without leading scorer Gary Harris, who is expected to miss a few more days with a strained right knee. That means he will most likely not be back when they visit the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. The Heat hope to be back to 100 percent when they host the New York Knicks that same night.
Dodgers Lose Justin Turner to Broken Wrist
The Los Angeles Dodgers will be shorthanded when they begin their defense of the National League Championship this season following Monday night's events. All-star third baseman Justin Turner suffered a broken left wrist after getting hit by a pitch in the first inning of Monday's Spring Training game against the Oakland Athletics. Turner will not need to undergo surgery as there is no official timetable for his return, although manager Dave Roberts did mention that "weeks are involved when you're talking about a fracture of any sort." In the meantime, the Dodgers are expected to move Logan Forsythe to third base, with either Chase Utley or Kike Hernandez taking over at second base. The 33-year-old Turner played a big role in the Dodgers' World Series appearance last season by batting .322 with 21 home runs and 71 RBIs. He is expected to be in a brace for the next few days, but was optimistic by saying that avoiding surgery is "good news." The Dodgers will open the 2018 regular season on March 29th at home against the San Francisco Giants.
LeBron James has added another element to his game this season, as if he doesn't already have enough, and that's the recent triple-double trend. He went off on Monday night for 40 points in a triple-double effort to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers over the Milwaukee Bucks, 124-117. James added 12 rebounds and 10 assists, as the Cavaliers also welcomed back Kevin Love to their starting lineup. Playing in his first game since January 30th due to a hand injury, Love had 18 points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes on the floor. Love's return, along with James's big night, helped the Cavaliers move on from the tough news that head coach Tyronn Lue took a leave due to personal health issues. The head coach expects to be back with the team in one week, but Larry Drew will take over in the interim. LeBron's big night had Giannis Antetokounmpo scratching his head after the game, as the star questioned what he did wrong since that was the first time an opposing player put up 40 on him. He did finish with 37 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, but just like mostly everyone else, he was no match for "King James." James will lead his team into a showdown with the East's best Toronto Raptors at home on Wednesday night, while the Bucks return home to play host to the Los Angeles Clippers that same night.
Dragic, Heat Outlast Nuggets in Double Overtime Thriller
Two teams that are battling for playoff spots and positioning went to battle with a playoff atmosphere on Monday night in South Beach. The Miami Heat, playing without both Hassan Whiteside due to a hip injury and Dwayne Wade due to a hamstring injury, outlasted the Denver Nuggets with a 149-141 double overtime win on their home floor. The 149 points is a franchise record for points in a game, which was previously set by the LeBron James-led Heat in 2013. James Johnson led the charged with a career-high 31 points, along with 11 rebounds on Monday, while Kelly Olynyk added 30 points for Miami, who moved ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks for the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. The Heat shot 54 percent overall, including 51 percent from three-point range on 20 made three-pointers. That mark is good for second place in franchise history, as Wayne Ellingon chipped in with 23 points on the night. The Nuggets could not pull off a thrilling win despite Nikola Jokic's 34 points and 14 rebounds. Wilson Chandler added 26 points, Jamal Murray had 23, and Will Barton finished with 22 for Denver, who remains two games back for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. They were playing without leading scorer Gary Harris, who is expected to miss a few more days with a strained right knee. That means he will most likely not be back when they visit the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. The Heat hope to be back to 100 percent when they host the New York Knicks that same night.
Dodgers Lose Justin Turner to Broken Wrist
The Los Angeles Dodgers will be shorthanded when they begin their defense of the National League Championship this season following Monday night's events. All-star third baseman Justin Turner suffered a broken left wrist after getting hit by a pitch in the first inning of Monday's Spring Training game against the Oakland Athletics. Turner will not need to undergo surgery as there is no official timetable for his return, although manager Dave Roberts did mention that "weeks are involved when you're talking about a fracture of any sort." In the meantime, the Dodgers are expected to move Logan Forsythe to third base, with either Chase Utley or Kike Hernandez taking over at second base. The 33-year-old Turner played a big role in the Dodgers' World Series appearance last season by batting .322 with 21 home runs and 71 RBIs. He is expected to be in a brace for the next few days, but was optimistic by saying that avoiding surgery is "good news." The Dodgers will open the 2018 regular season on March 29th at home against the San Francisco Giants.