LBJ Back But Hughes Leads The Way Cavaliers Rock Pacers 118-105

LeBron James made his reemergence??into the Cleveland Cavaliers lineup Tuesday coming off the bench, but the star for Cleveland was Larry Hughes scoring a game high 36 points as they defeated the Indiana Pacers 118-105.?The win ended the Cavaliers six game losing streak, and was the first time that LBJ played since spraining his left index finger November 28, in a loss to the Detroit Pistons.?

Cleveland came out with a different starting lineup,?than they have use in the last few games. Veteran Eric Snow got his first start since last season at point guard. Daniel Gibson was unable to suit up?due to having a cyst removed, and one of his wisdom teeth extracted Monday. But even without Gibson in the lineup, Cleveland was deeper than they had been in a while due to the return of James, as well as the season debut for power forward Anderson Varejao. Varejao was signed last week to an offer sheet by the Charlotte Bobcats which Cleveland matched the next day, ending the impasse between the player and the team.

The Cavaliers had a great night scoring wise, shooting 54.7% from the floor for the game, and shooting 50% from outside the arc. Cleveland came out on fire leading the Pacers 37-16 after the first quarter. Indiana reduced the margin by the half to 65-49.?Indiana would outscore Cleveland in every quarter except for the first, but they just were never able to get over the hump to really be back in the contest.

Hughes shot 13-17 from the field including 5 treys, and a perfect 5-5 from the line for his 36 points, he also had 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 2? blocked shots. James played about 22 and a half minutes scoring 17 points, 5 assists, 3 boards, 1 steal, 1 blocked shot. Zydrunas Ilgauskas also scored 17 for Cleveland, with 5 rebounds, Sasha Pavlovic scored 12 points, 4 boards, 3 assists, and Drew Gooden scored 7 points a team high in rebounds with 11, and 4 assists.

Indiana had six players? in double figures led by Mike Dunleavy with 23 points, 6 rebounds 5 assists, Jermaine O’Neal scored 18, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 blocked shot. Troy Murphy scored 14 points, a game high 12 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 blocked shot, Danny Granger had 11 points, 5 boards, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 blocked shot, and Jamal Tinsley scored 10 points, and had a game high 9 assists. Cleveland after the win is now 10-12, while the Pacers are now 10-11.