NBA wrap: LeBron leads Cavs to 13th straight; short-handed Warriors rolls Hornets

Scores and highlights from Wednesday's NBA action.

James finished with 32 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. Cleveland will look for its 14th consecutive win Friday against the Pacers. File photo

The Cleveland Cavaliers is on fire after a slow start to the season, but Wednesday's win over the lowly Kings was not a cake walk. 

Cleveland had to rally from a 14-point deficit in the third quarter and it was a clutch shot from LeBron James that made the difference in a 101-95 win. James knocked down a step-back 3-pointer with 15 seconds remaining to ensure the Cavs' franchise-record-tying 13th straight win. 

James finished with 32 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. Cleveland will look for its 14th consecutive win Friday against the Pacers. 

The Cavaliers' playoff nemesis Warriors didn't have any trouble against the Hornets despite playing without Stephen Curry (ankle) and Draymond Green (shoulder). Kevin Durant stepped up in a 101-87 win with his first triple-double of the season. 

Durant had 35 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists while Klay Thompson scored 22 as Golden State won its fifth straight after dropping consecutive games against the hapless Kings and Lakers. 

STUD OF THE NIGHT

With Anthony Davis out for the Pelicans, DeMarcus Cousins came through in a big way during a 123-114 win over the Nuggets. Cousins had 40 points, 22 rebounds, four blocks, and four assists. It was Cousins' second 40-point, 20-rebound game of the season. He is the only player in the NBA this year with even  one such game .

DUDS OF THE NIGHT

The Bulls becomes the first team to hit 20 losses this season after blowing a 16-point lead at halftime to the Pacers. Chicago, which is just 3-20 on the season, scored just 13 points in the fourth quarter as Indiana earned its 14th win of the season. 

HIGHLIGHT

Kristaps Porzingis returned to the floor Wednesday after suffering a ugly ankle sprain on Nov. 29. The Knicks big man finished with 18 points, including a sweet spin and dunk in a win over the Grizzlies.

WHAT'S NEXT

Rockets (18-4) at Jazz (13-12), 10:30 p.m. ET —  The nightcap of Thursday’s four-game slate features two red-hot playoff contenders in the West. Utah has won six of its last seven, while James Harden has the Rockets winners of its past seven. The first time these teams met this season, Harden dropped a career-high 56 points.