Cleveland: The jersey was too tight and so was the score. LeBron James took care of both.
James scored 23 points and did some quick tailoring on Cleveland's body-hugging, sleeved uniforms, Mo Williams added 22 and the Cavaliers won their fourth straight, 96-86 over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.
James made a 3-pointer and dunked off a nice pass from Williams while scoring 11 in the fourth quarter, when the Cavs outscored the Knicks 26-17.
Tristan Thompson grabbed 13 rebounds and Kevin Love had 12 for Cleveland, which hasn't lost since opening night in Chicago. The Cavs didn't have their same ball movement, and they fell behind 15 in the first quarter before finding their groove in the second half, outscoring New York 58-40.
Frustrated with his shot in the first half, an irritated James ripped the sleeves on Cleveland's new, black jerseys. The four-time MVP, who has complained in the past that the retro-looking tops are too snug on his arms and shoulders, tore his jersey in the midst of a 4-of-11 shooting performance in the opening 24 minutes.
"I was just frustrated with myself," he said. "I was just off rhythm and the jersey is the only thing I can go to. I couldn't do nothing to my face. I couldn't make a bucket so I had to take it out on something."
Carmelo Anthony scored 17 and rookie Kristaps Porzingis 13 for the Knicks, who were even at 75-all in the fourth when James went to work.
Cleveland's star capped a 12-4 spurt with a 3-pointer - just his second this season - to give Cleveland an 87-79 lead with 4:01 remaining. Later, he blasted down the lane and thundered home his dunk off a great look from Williams.
James, who earlier this week became the youngest player in league history to reach 25,000 points, had an off-night from the field, going just 9 of 23.
The jersey might have had something to do with it.
James has never liked the sleeved tops, introduced by the NBA as an alternate look two seasons ago. Following a loss to San Antonio in 2014 when he was with Miami, James said the uniforms are restrictive, making it difficult to shoot.
The Cavaliers will be required to wear this jersey three to six times this season. James was asked if he'd wear sleeves again.
"If the fans love them, I love them," he said, giving a diplomatic answer. "If our fans love the uniforms, I'll wear them for 48 (minutes). I'm so used to the sleeveless cutoffs, the tank top. I've been playing in tank tops all my life."
Results:
LA Clippers 108 lost to Golden State Warriors 112; Portland Trailblazers 108 beat Utah Jazz 92; Sacramento Kings 97 lost to Phoenix Suns 118; Toronto Raptors 103 beat Oklahoma City Thunder 98; Philadelphia 76ers 87 lost to Milwaukee Bucks 91; Orlando Magic 114 lost to Houston Rockets 119; New York Knicks 86 lost to Cleveland Cavaliers 96; Brooklyn Nets 87 lost to Atlanta Hawks 101
