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CAVALIERS
LeBron James

Cavs' Big 3 getting better and better

Michael Singer
USA TODAY

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) is defended by Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) in Tuesday's game at Quicken Loans Arena.

CLEVELAND -- Early returns are good for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Four games in, there doesn’t seem to be any sign of complacency or satisfaction after ending this city’s title drought last June. In fact, if anything, just getting a taste of champagne has stoked their desire to repeat.

It doesn’t hurt, of course, that the Indians had downtown buzzing in pursuit of their first championship since 1948.

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The Cavs, whose Finals triumph over the Golden State Warriors was Cleveland’s first major championship since 1964, are hoping that the vibe is pervasive.

“I would hope so,” Cavs coach Ty Lue said before Tuesday’s game against the Houston Rockets, a 128-120 victory. “They win it (Tuesday), then we got to come back and win it again. So I hope it is contagious.”

Cavs players had planned on catching Game 6 of the World Series, and a quick glance around their locker room showed a smattering of Tribe hats and jerseys.

“Just great for the city. I’m happy for the Indians,” Lue added. “Hopefully we can continue to piggyback off each other.”

The Cavs are 4-0 for the first time since the 2000-01 season, well before LeBron James revitalized the franchise – for the second time. Their defense is among the best in the NBA, and that’s despite facing potent offenses in the Toronto Raptors and the Rockets. Entering Tuesday, they were holding teams to a league-low 40% from the field.

On the offensive end, Lue has James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love firing on all cylinders. James, who was named Eastern Conference player of the week, has even stumped for Irving as a possible MVP candidate.

“Why not?” James said recently. “He hasn’t even gotten to his prime yet.”

James, it seems, is totally content deferring to Irving, who scored 21 points in just 17 minutes in the first half of Tuesday’s game. Granted, the Rockets’ defense is as cavernous as Quicken Loans Arena, but Irving’s talents are undeniable. And he’s just 24.

Love, at times the odd man out last season, has found his niche as well. Although it’s a small sample size, his 20-point per game average so far is reminiscent of his Minnesota days. He’s also averaging the second-most shot attempts on the team, an indicator of James’ willingness to make him a focal point of the offense.

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As a trio, the three are averaging 68.3 points per game. Lue said he thinks it’s entirely possible that each averages at least 20 points throughout the season. Toss in gunners J.R. Smith and Mike Dunleavy, coupled with rebounding extraordinaire Tristan Thompson, and it’s easy to see why the Cavs aren’t expected to face much resistance in the East.

“I wouldn’t just stop with Kyrie (or James),” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said. “I’d just keep on going. 
 LeBron now is surrounded by guys that can space, can shoot, can go one-on-one in their own right. He has a lot of weapons at his disposal and that’s not something you like.”

Now that title drought is over, the town’s unofficial spokesmen can’t help but enjoy the moment.

“The city of Cleveland right now is on fire,” Lue said.

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