Roundup: LeBron, Cavaliers defeat the Nets
LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers turned a close game into a clinic after Britain's Prince William and his wife, Kate, grabbed courtside seats to watch, beating the host Brooklyn Nets, 110-88, on Monday night.
Kevin Love was shooting free throws when the royal couple emerged from a tunnel with 7:14 remaining in the third quarter. Perhaps distracted by the loud roar, Love missed the second, leaving the game tied at 61.
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But James, putting on a show that few others could, threw some sharp passes to go with his 9 points in the period and the Cavaliers cruised from there to their seventh straight victory.
He finished with 18 points after joining Kyrie Irving and some Nets players in wearing ''I Can't Breathe'' shirts during warmups.
Kevin Garnett and Deron Williams were among four Nets wearing the shirts in support of the family of Eric Garner, who died July 17 after a police officer placed him in a chokehold when he was being arrested for selling loose, untaxed cigarettes.
Chicago star Derrick Rose wore one before a game Saturday and James said Sunday he wanted one. He got it from Nets guard Jarrett Jack, who provided them to players on both teams. A few NFL players had the saying written on different items of gear and shirts during warmups before games Sunday.
''Obviously as a society we have to do better, we have to have empathy better for one another no matter what race you are, but it's more a shout-out to the family more than anything,'' James said before Cleveland's 110-88 victory.
Irving had already gone to the court in his shirt as James spoke.
''I respect Derrick Rose and all of our players for voicing their personal views on important issues, but my preference would be for players to abide by our on-court attire rules,'' said NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who was also at the game.
NBA players are required to wear attire of Adidas, the league's official apparel provider.
A recording of Garner's arrest showed him gasping, ''I can't breathe'' during the fatal encounter, and thousands have protested a grand jury decision not to indict the officer since the announcement Wednesday.
More than 200 protesters gathered outside the Barclays Center on Monday night, chanting ''Hands Up, Don't Shoot'' and ''I can't breathe.''
Irving said his thoughts were with Garner's family.
''What happened is a tragedy, I feel terrible about it, but my emotions are just more or less condolences for the family,'' Irving said.
As for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge they met at Barclays Center with NBA commissioner Adam Silver, celebrating a partnership between the Royal Foundation and the league to raise awareness about the importance of international wildlife conservation.
Crowds of officials began gathering near one of the tunnels to the arena floor at halftime in preparation of the royals' move to their seats.
They were shown on the overhead videoboard with about 2 ½ minutes left in the period, getting another loud cheer when Kate waved to the camera.
After the third quarter, Jay-Z and Beyonce were led across the court to meet them.
Jay-Z was formerly a part-owner of the Nets and has kept his seats next to the team's bench.
Warriors 102, Timberwolves 86 - Stephen Curry posted 21 points to help visiting Golden State to its 13th consecutive win.
Clippers 121, Suns 120 - Blake Griffin (45 points) hit a 3-pointer at the overtime buzzer, giving Los Angeles the home win.
Raptors 112, Nuggets 107 - Kyle Lowry had 13 points and 13 assists for host Toronto in an overtime win.
Hawks 108, Pacers 92 - Al Horford scored 25 points as Atlanta beat host Indiana.
Kings 101, Jazz 92 - Rudy Gay scored 29 points as host Sacramento won going away.
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