LeBron 40th career triple-double lifts Cavs

CLEVELAND – LeBron James came close to his 40th career triple-double several times this season.

The four-time MVP got there in three quarters Monday night.

James scored 21 points to go along with 10 assists and 10 rebounds for his first triple-double of the season, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 120-100 win over the Sacramento Kings.

James pulled down his final rebound late in the third quarter, resulting in a loud cheer from the sellout crowd. He didn’t play the final period thanks to the big lead.

“I didn’t know until I sat down on the bench and I looked up at the scoreboard,” he said. “Get over the hump, finally. To do it in three quarters was even more impressive. It allowed me to get some rest.”

In other results, Charlotte thumped Chicago, 108-91; Broolyn nipped Denver, 105-104; Toronto crushed Detroit, 103-89; Orlando thwarted Atlanta, 117-110; Portland subdued Memphis, 112-106; New Orleans trounced Minnesota, 116-102; Oklahoma whipped Phoenix, 122-106; the Los Angeles Clippers held off the Philadelphia 76ers, 98-92; and the Indiana Pacers survived the Los Angeles Lakers, 89-87.

Back in Cleveland, Kyrie Irving matched his season high with 32 points and tied his career high with 12 assists. Irving was 13 of 21 from the field and J.R. Smith hit six 3-pointers, finishing with 22 points.

Cleveland went ahead early in the game and steadily built its lead against the listless Kings, who have dropped eight of nine.

Rudy Gay and Omri Casspi led Sacramento with 16 points each.

Cavaliers forward Kevin Love, who passed the 9,000 career point mark in the second quarter, returned after missing a game because of a bruised left thigh and scored 11 points.

Irving converted a four-point play in the fourth quarter by hitting a 3-pointer in front of the Kings bench and being fouled by Rajon Rondo.