Warriors fall to Cavaliers 110-99

CLEVELAND - LeBron James says he isn’t about personal statements. He made one anyway Thursday night.

James scored a season-high 42 points and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Golden State Warriors 110-99 for their 18th victory in 20 games.

James added 11 rebounds, outplaying fellow MVP candidate Stephen Curry and leading Cleveland past the team with the NBA’s best record for its 11th consecutive home victory.

James downplayed any talk that the performance may put him in the lead for MVP consideration.

“That’s not why I’m here,” he said. “I’ve got to be the MVP for these guys, the 14 guys in the locker room. When I’m on the floor I’ll try to do everything I can to help this team win.”

The Cavaliers did get a bit of bad news. All-Star guard Kyrie Irving, who scored 24 points, injured his left shoulder and didn’t travel with the team to Indiana for tonight’s game. A team spokesman said Irving will have an MRI today and is doubtful against the Pacers.

Irving left the game in the third quarter and went to the locker room, but returned early in the fourth.

Curry scored 18 points, but had only six after the first quarter and was 5 of 17 from the field.

“I hope it’s not handed out on this one game,” Curry said of the MVP talk. “I hope it’s about the body of work. Tonight just wasn’t my best game. Shots that I normally make didn’t fall tonight.”

David Lee led Golden State (44-11) with 19 points.

James was out with knee and back injuries when the teams met Jan. 9, a 112-94 win for Golden State. Although the four-time MVP hit 15 of 25 from the field Thursday, the back apparently is still an issue. James stretched out on the floor instead of sitting on the bench when he had a rest in the fourth quarter.

“It tightened up a little bit,” James said. “It’s a little tight right now. I’ll get some treatment tonight and some more (today).”

Added Cavs coach David Blatt: “If he plays like that with a sore back, imagine how well he’ll play when he doesn’t have a sore back.”

Kevin Love added 16 points for the Cavaliers.

If the matchup between the team with the best record and the hottest team in the league was a preview of the NBA Finals, the advantage went to the Cavaliers.

Cleveland, leading 61-56 at halftime, took control in the third quarter. James had 12 points, including two 3-pointers, and found Timofey Mozgov for an open jumper to push the lead to 86-70.

“We’re not going to win every game,” Kerr said. “This is the NBA. I don’t look at this like a plague or anything. It’s just part of the grind of the season.”

Kerr got a technical foul in the second quarter and had to be separated from official Bennett Salvatore after Draymond Green was assessed a technical in the third.