Cavaliers beat Nets

NEW YORK — LeBron James scored 36 points, carrying Cleveland while Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love had slow starts in their return to the lineup, and the Cavaliers beat the Brooklyn Nets 116-108 on Friday night.

Irving added 32 points and Love had 17 points and 13 rebounds, but both shot poorly early as the Nets kept it competitive for 1½ quarters. James helped the Cavs open a double-digit lead by halftime and they led comfortably most of the rest of the way in the opener of a six-game trip.

The Cavs were still working to finalize a trade with Atlanta to acquire shooting guard Kyle Korver. Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue said before the game he didn’t have any new information about when that would happen.

He said earlier Friday that Korver would come off the bench when he arrives. DeAndre Liggins, who has been starting since J.R. Smith broke his thumb, will remain in the lineup, at least at first.

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Brooklyn Nets’ Spencer Dinwiddie (8) defends against Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 6, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

http://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2017/01/web1_114405371-bb675888109f47c6b5fb3d27e1907d4d.jpgBrooklyn Nets’ Spencer Dinwiddie (8) defends against Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 6, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kevin Love (0) is defended by Brooklyn Nets’ Bojan Bogdanovic (44) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 6, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

http://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2017/01/web1_114405371-5c056ffe121840f8b532030a0947e0fd.jpgCleveland Cavaliers’ Kevin Love (0) is defended by Brooklyn Nets’ Bojan Bogdanovic (44) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 6, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Cleveland Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving (2) drives past Brooklyn Nets’ Trevor Booker (35) as teammate Tristan Thompson, left, watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 6, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

http://www.limaohio.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2017/01/web1_114405371-baa2bfdb469042958700d1113ece5bcd.jpgCleveland Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving (2) drives past Brooklyn Nets’ Trevor Booker (35) as teammate Tristan Thompson, left, watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 6, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)