James, Love lead Cavs past Knicks to 50th win, Central title

NEW YORK — LeBron James used to downplay winning division titles.

Not this time. Not after what these Cleveland Cavaliers have been through this season.

This one is worth appreciating.

"I've kind of like been a hypocrite of that because I'm always moving and trying to figure out how we can be better the next day or whatever the case," James said. "So it's always hard for me to be like, OK, another division crown after everything that's gone on with our team and our ballclub this year, but it's a pretty cool thing."

James had 26 points and 11 assists, Kevin Love scored 28 points, and the Cavaliers got their 50th win along with that Central Division title by beating the New York Knicks, 123-109, on Monday night (Tuesday Manila time).

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The Cavs reached 50 wins for the fourth time in four seasons since James returned from Miami and the 11th time in franchise history. James has won a record 10 straight division titles in Cleveland and Miami.

Cleveland pulled within a half-game of Philadelphia for the No. 3 spot in the Eastern Conference, bouncing back from its loss to the 76ers on Friday and winning for the sixth time in seven games.

A division title and 50 wins would have been considered shoo-ins for the Cavs before the season, but after injuries, trades and a leave of absence for coach Tyronn Lue, nothing seemed certain.

"It's been it feels like a number of seasons within the season, but it's also gone by pretty fast," Love said. "I know I was injured for a number of games, but it still feels like it was a little bit of a blur, so we got one more left at home and as we always say the real things starts."

J.R. Smith and Jordan Clarkson added 16 points apiece for the Cavaliers, who made 19 3-pointers and won for the ninth straight time at Madison Square Garden.

Wearing black sneakers that read "I'm" on the left shoe and "King" on the right, James also had six rebounds and a few of his usual powerful dunks, including one where he broke in with a head of speed and Michael Beasley appeared in position to stop him before seeking safety and running by him out of the way .

Beasley scored 20 points for the Knicks in their final home game of the season, which opened a home-and-home series. Rookie Frank Ntilikina added a career-high 17 and Courtney Lee also had 17.

"I feel like I'm getting better," Ntilikina said. "I'm feeling more comfortable."

The Knicks remained without injured starters Tim Hardaway Jr. and Enes Kanter.

The Cavs led by only six with under 4 minutes left, but James found Love for a basket, then followed Clarkson's two 3-pointers with one of his own to put away the game.

"They're a great team, and when LeBron's out there it makes it very difficult on guys. You can't guard him one-on-one," Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek said. "But, our guys didn't quit, so it was good."