James scores 25 as Cavaliers hold off Timberwolves

CLEVELAND – Tyronn Lue stepped off the podium and immediately reached for his tie Monday night. The new Cleveland Cavaliers coach loosened the knot as he walked out of the postgame interview room, just like his mentor.
“I learned this from Doc,” he said, referring to Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers.
One down, plenty more to go. He should hope the rest of them aren’t this hard.
Forward LeBron James scored 25 points and passed for nine assists and the Cavaliers survived a late charge for a 114-107 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. It was Lue’s first win as a head coach in his second game.
Lue replaced David Blatt, who was fired Friday despite the Cavs owning the best record in the Eastern Conference. His first victory didn’t come easy.
A three-point play from guard Zach LaVine pulled the Timberwolves within 110-107 with 16.5 seconds left. James sealed the win with a pair of free throws at the other end.
“It felt great to finally get a win,” Lue said. “It’s only been two games, but to get my first head coaching win means a lot. I feel great about that.”
James gave a short speech in the locker room after the game, and the players presented the game ball to Lue.
“It’s a special moment for anyone, for a rookie player, for a rookie head coach, for an expansion franchise,” James said. “When you get that first win, it’s very special and you never forget it.”
Rookie center Karl-Anthony Towns had 26 points and 11 rebounds and Andrew Wiggins added 20 points for the Timberwolves, who were trying to win consecutive games for just the second time since November.
Center Tristan Thompson returned to the starting lineup and had 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Cavs, while guard Kyrie Irving had 17 points, nine rebounds and four assists.
The Cavs (31-12) struggled all night against the inferior Timberwolves (14-32).
A 3-pointer from guard Iman Shumpert extended Cleveland’s lead to 90-75 early in the fourth quarter, but Minnesota scored 12 of the game’s next 14 points, and a transition basket from LaVine off a turnover pulled Minnesota within 92-87 with 7:21 left.
A turnaround baseline jumper by Wiggins over James cut the Wolves’ deficit to 106-102 in the final minute, but the Cavs made just enough baskets to survive.
“We did a good job even staying in that game,” Towns said. “The tools are all there.”
Minnesota 29 26 18 34 - 107
Cleveland 32 27 24 31 - 114
MINNESOTA (107)
Wiggins 7-14 5-6 20, Rubio 2-7 0-0 4, Towns 11-16 4-5 26, Prince 2-4 0-0 4, Pekovic 2-6 0-0 4, LaVine 8-15 3-3 21, Muhammad 5-13 0-0 10, Dieng 2-4 9-9 13, Bjelica 2-5 0-0 5. Totals 41-84 21-23 107.
CLEVELAND (114)
James 11-15 2-3 25, Love 5-11 0-1 11, JR.Smith 3-14 3-4 11, T.Thompson 8-10 3-7 19, Irving 7-18 2-2 17, Dellavedova 6-12 2-2 18, Shumpert 3-7 1-1 9, Mozgov 2-2 0-0 4, Mo.Williams 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 45-89 13-20 114.
3-Point Goals: Minnesota 4-16 (LaVine 2-7, Bjelica 1-2, Wiggins 1-3, Rubio 0-1, Towns 0-1, Muhammad 0-2), Cleveland 11-31 (Dellavedova 4-8, Shumpert 2-3, JR.Smith 2-8, James 1-1, Irving 1-4, Love 1-7). Fouled out: None. Rebounds: Minnesota 44 (Towns 11), Cleveland 52 (T.Thompson 12). Assists: Minnesota 28 (Rubio 10), Cleveland 30 (James 9). Total Fouls: Minnesota 24 (Wiggins 5), Cleveland 18 (Love, Shumpert 3). A-20,562.