The Cleveland Cavaliers snapped their four-game losing streak with a close victory over the Orlando Magic, 104-103, Thursday night at the Quicken Loans Arena.
But it wasn't easy as the Cavs blew a 23-point lead and actually trailed 103-102 with 31 seconds left to play. Thomas saved the day with a pair of clutch free throws and LeBron made a game-sealing defensive play in the final ticks.
Isaiah Thomas led the Cavaliers with 21 points and four assists while LeBron James had 16 points, five rebounds and six assists. Kevin Love contributed 12 and 11 boards and Jae Crowder added 10 more points plus five rebounds.
Cleveland won despite shooting just 38 of 85 from the field, 10 of 34 from 3-point range and 18 of 27 from 3-point land.
Derrick Rose returned from an ankle injury and scored nine points in 13 minutes.
"We are in Strugglesville right now. But it felt like a win. We needed it, definitely," James told ESPN after the hard-fought victory.
Elfrid Payton was the main man for the Magic with 19 points and 8 assists. Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier each had 17 while Jonathon Simmons chipped in 16. Orlando made 41 off 88 field goals but they missed 17 of 22 triples and went just 16 of 21 from the free throw line.
The Cavs stayed in third place in the Eastern Conference with a 27-17 record while the Magic remain in last place in the East at 13-32.
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