Cavaliers vs. Pelicans recap: LeBron James leads Cavs’ fourth-quarter rally

The Cavaliers trailed the Pelicans for the entire second quarter and the majority of the third, but the fourth quarter is money time, and in the fourth quarter, Cleveland cashed in on its cash cow. LeBron James was virtually unstoppable down the stretch, abusing whichever defender was in his path to the tune of eight fourth-quarter points. At one point, he hit a shot and stared down the Pelicans bench.

LeBron led the Cavaliers to a 107-102 win over the Pelicans, putting up a near triple double with 29 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. His shining moment, though, came in the first quarter when he blew by Solomon Hill for a two-handed dunk that gave him more consecutive double-digit scoring games (867) in NBA history than Michael Jordan.

James had help from his new friends. Jordan Clarkson came off the bench and gave the Cavaliers 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting. Rodney Hood got hot and put up 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting. And had George Hill not gotten injured midway through the third quarter, he may have continued his eight-points-in-four-minutes barrage to start the half.

Cleveland’s victory keeps them afloat as the No. 3 seed in the East with the 76ers breathing down their necks just a half-game behind. The loss for New Orleans could move them from No. 6 to No. 7 if the Timberwolves continue on to defeat the Mavericks tonight.

Here’s how it all went down... in reverse order.

Holiday went at LeBron James and put up a floater, but it hit the glass and never touched the net. This one’s over.

Jrue Holiday had a good look from the top of the arc to potentially tie the game at 105 apiece, but his shot was long and careened off the back of the rim.

Not much to see here folks, just a goat grazing in his natural environment

Cavs are up 94-88 after Jose Calderon hits a corner 3. Is Cleveland gonna sneak this win out? We’ll have to see

Jeff Green goes up a defender’s chest and gets the layup, plus the foul. Don’t call it a comeback.

George Hill rolled his ankle on a layup attempt, then landed on that same ankle. He headed to the locker room in pain.

Hill didn’t score in the first half but came out swinging to start the third. He’s got 8 points in four minutes.

New Orleans is somehow up 10 even though Anthony Davis has just eight points on 3-of-10 shooting.

Rodney Hood is being aggressive on offense and has 14 points in the first half. The Cavs are still down 12, though, but this is a good sign for him.

Rodney Hood hit a tough pull-up three, then Jordan Clarkson drilled a sho from the corner to cut the the Pelicans lead to single digits. Then Jrue Holiday walks up-court and drills a triple. Pelicans 51, Cavs 41.

Kevin Love is 0-of-6 from the field. Yikes

Anthony Davis went 0-of-6 from the field in the first 11:30 of the first quarter before finally recording his first basket of the night with a wide open dunk.

LeBron James blows right by Solomon Hill and finishes with a double-pump two-handed dunk. It gives him 11 points on the night, passing Michael Jordan for most consecutive double digit games in NBA history.

Nikola Mirotic made a three for the Pelicans, but nobody got back on defense, leaving the door open for LeBron to sprint up-court and finish with a two-handed dunk. He needs one more point to pass MJ.

LeBron went right up a defender’s chest, spun off of him and get a layup to reach seven points on the night. He just needs three more to eclipse Michael Jordan’s record of most consecutive double-digit scoring games in NBA history.

Hood’s got six early points tonight. Cleveland needs that third option behind LeBron James and Kevin Love. They can be deadly if they get this from Hood for the playoffs.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and New Orleans Pelicans are going toe-to-toe Friday night, which means Anthony Davis and LeBron James will have an MVP candidate showdown for the ages. Kevin Love returns to the lineup after missing a game from a tooth injury, and head coach Tyronn Lue also returns to the sideline after stepping away from the team to address health concerns.

Rajon Rondo will also return to the Pelicans after missing two games with a right wrist injury. The Cavs and Pelicans have identical 45-30 records. A Cleveland loss ties them for fourth place in the East with the Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers can move up to No. 3 if they beat the Hawks in the event the Cavaliers lose.

The Pelicans sit at No. 6 in the wild Western Conference and even though they’re just a half-game behind the No. 4 seed, they’re also just one game away from the eighth seed. Neither team can afford to lose this game, so get ready for an exciting matchup with two headlining MVP candidates leading the way.