LeBron James was welcomed back to Cleveland with a standing ovation and then led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 109-105 win over the Cavaliers on Wednesday.
James finished with 32 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists as Los Angeles closed the game on an 18-6 run to claim its sixth victory in seven outings.
"We cranked up our defence in the fourth quarter," James said. "They played a heck of a game but we kept our composure. We're a young crew. We keep getting better."
The night carried extra weight for James, who was back in his home region for the first time since leaving the Cavaliers for the Lakers in July. It was a different scene from his 2010 return after he left Cleveland for Miami, when fans reacted with anger and boos.
After coming back from Miami in 2014 and delivering on his promise to turn the Cavaliers into champions two years later, James was greeted far more warmly this time.
Fans cheered when he came out for warm-ups, rose again when he was introduced, and applauded a video tribute after he scored on the Lakers' first possession.
"To come back and get the reception I got, it means a lot not only to myself but my family," James said.
"My 11 years I played for this franchise I tried to give everything I could on and off the court."
The result lifted the Lakers to 10-7, their best mark since April 2013, while Cleveland dropped to an NBA-worst 2-14.
Jordan Clarkson briefly pushed the Cavaliers ahead 96-87 with back-to-back three-pointers, but James answered with a late three, a dunk and four free throws to help finish the comeback.
Elsewhere, Cameroonian centre Joel Embiid outplayed New Orleans big man Anthony Davis in Philadelphia's 121-120 win over the Pelicans.
Embiid fouled Davis on a three-point attempt with two seconds left. Davis made two free throws and missed the third, and Embiid secured the rebound to preserve the Sixers' unbeaten home record at 10-0 and extend their winning streak to four.
Embiid posted 31 points, 19 rebounds and two blocked shots. Davis had 12 points, 16 rebounds, five steals and five blocks.
Australian Ben Simmons added 22 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for Philadelphia, while E'Twaun Moore and Jrue Holiday scored 30 each for New Orleans.
Toronto stayed on top of the NBA standings after beating Atlanta 124-108. Jonas Valanciunas scored 24 points, and Kyle Lowry produced 21 points, 17 assists and 12 rebounds for the Raptors, who improved to 15-4. Jeremy Lin led the Hawks with 26 points as they fell to 3-15.
James Harden scored 43 points and Clint Capela added 27 points and 15 rebounds as Houston beat Detroit 126-124.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 33 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists in Milwaukee's 143-100 rout of Portland, a result that lifted the Bucks to 13-4 and knocked the Trail Blazers off the Western Conference lead.
Memphis moved into first place in the West by edging San Antonio 104-103 on two Marc Gasol free throws with 0.7 seconds left. Mike Conley scored 30 points and Gasol added 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Harrison Barnes scored 28 points to lead Dallas past Brooklyn 119-113, while Paul Millsap had 25 points in Denver's 103-101 win at Minnesota.
Zach LaVine scored 29 points and Jabari Parker added 20 points and 13 rebounds as Chicago beat Phoenix 124-116.
Willie Cauley-Stein led Sacramento with 23 points in a 119-110 win at Utah, where the Kings had seven players score in double figures.
Trey Burke came off the bench for 29 points and 11 assists as New York beat Boston 117-109. Jeremy Walker scored 21 points to lead seven Charlotte players in double figures in a 127-109 win over Indiana.
