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Bogut breaks leg in debut as Cavs lose again to Heat

 
Published March 7, 2017

CLEVELAND — LeBron James didn't need to speak with Andrew Bogut or see the X-rays on the center's leg.

"I heard it break," he said. "I heard it crack."

In an ugly instant, Cleveland lost much more than a game Monday night.

Bogut broke his left leg less than one minute into his debut and the Cavaliers never recovered while being outgunned 106-98 by the Heat, which beat the NBA champions twice in three nights.

Dion Waiters scored 29, Goran Dragic added 21 and the Heat held off a late rally by the Cavs, who trimmed a 20-point deficit to 103-98 in the final minute.

However, Miami's latest impressive win was overshadowed by the injury to Bogut, who signed with Cleveland last week.

Now the Cavs don't know when or if Bogut will be able to help defend their title.

"It's very deflating," James said. "It's a tough moment. We all were excited about the acquisition, you know, bring him in here. It's a tough one, not only obviously for him, first of all, but then for our ballclub."

GAME HIGHLIGHTS: Courtney Lee scored 18, Lance Thomas added 17 and the visiting Knicks used a big fourth quarter to rally past the Magic 113-105. … Andre Iguodala scored a season-high 24 on a subpar shooting night for the Splash Brothers, carrying the visiting Warriors to a 119-111 victory over the Hawks. … Reggie Jackson scored 24 of his 26 in the second half and the host Pistons pulled away for a 109-95 victory over the Bulls. … Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 24, Tony Snell had 18 of his season-high 21 in the first half and the visiting Bucks never trailed in a 112-98 victory over the 76ers. … Kemba Walker scored 28, Nicolas Batum added 21 and the host Hornets beat the Pacers 100-88. … Jeremy Lin scored 18, including nine straight in a fourth-quarter rally, Sean Kilpatrick added 23 and the visiting Nets won for the second time in 20 games, 122-109 over the Grizzlies.

AROUND THE LEAGUE: The Trail Blazers-Timberwolves game in Minneapolis was postponed due to a slippery court. … Cavalies coach Tyronn Lue missed the game with an unspecified illness. … Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic sat out because of an illness.