CLEVELAND _ LeBron James had to return to play nine minutes in the fourth quarter of a game the Cavs once led by 22. It isn't ideal, but the Cavs still handled the Denver Nuggets somewhat effectively in a 125-109 victory Saturday.
James and Kyrie Irving each scored 27 points and Kevin Love scored 16 for the Cavs, who have won five of their last six and beat a Nuggets team playing the second night of a back-to-back and their third in four nights _ all on the road.
Nuggets center Nikola Jokic scored 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds one night after he scored 40 at Madison Square Garden in a Denver victory. Gary Harris scored 16 points and Jamal Murray scored 16 off the bench for the Nuggets.
Cavs coach Tyronn Lue was able to get James off the floor after 32 minutes _ a relative victory given the heavy load he has carried in recent weeks. James' minutes have been up all season and they've only increased lately _ he played more than 40 in Thursday's loss at Oklahoma City.
The fact the Cavs led 77-55 midway through the third should've been enough to keep James out for the entire fourth quarter, but the Cavs have been squandering big leads most of the season and Saturday was no different. The Nuggets cut the lead in half by early in the fourth quarter, although the Cavs held on and were never really threatened.
Tristan Thompson scored 13 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and Kyle Korver scored 14 points off the bench. Derrick Williams scored seven and grabbed a rebound in 21 minutes and appears he'll immediately become a rotation fixture _ at least through the injuries. Iman Shumpert missed his third-straight game with a sprained left ankle and Lue isn't sure yet when he'll return.
Lue is having fun experimenting with Williams' athleticism for now. He used him on point guards in Thursday's loss at the Thunder and even had him handling the ball a bit Saturday _ although no one expects him to do that often. Still, Williams provides a young, athletic wing who can play multiple positions _ something this team has struggled to find. Particularly the young part.
"He's a young guy but he has a lot of NBA experience," Lue said. "Being the No. 2 pick in the draft, that means a lot, especially in our league. To be the No. 2 pick in the draft, that's a big accomplishment so he has the experience and being a lottery pick we know he can play."
James' minutes have been a point of contention all season. Lue was supposed to rest all three of his stars Thursday but changed his mind and played them. Then he played them all again Saturday. He isn't so concerned with Irving and Love's minutes since both of them have received more time off than James.
"The biggest thing is just finding time for LeBron when his body feels like it can't go," Lue said. "A lot of times if he wants to play, I can't stop him from playing."
