LeBron James scores 43 points, leads Heat to 100-96 win over Irving-less Cavaliers

Miami Heat's LeBron James (6) jumps to the basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Miami Heat's LeBron James, right, drives around Cleveland Cavaliers' Jarrett Jack during the second quarter.

CLEVELAND — LeBron James scored 43 points — 25 in a bewildering first-quarter shooting display — and Chris Bosh added 21, leading the Miami Heat to a 100-96 win Tuesday night over the Cleveland Cavaliers, who played their first game without injured All-Star guard Kyrie Irving.

Miami Heat's LeBron James (6) jumps to the basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first quarter.

James added two crucial blocks and made six free throws in the final two minutes and Bosh added a key rejection to lead the Heat to just their third win in eight games.

Miami’s Dwyane Wade sat out resting his knees, but the Heat’s two other megastars put away the Cavs.

Jarrett Jack scored 22 and Dion Waiters added 17 and 11 assists for Cleveland, which was also without forward Luol Deng (sprained ankle). Irving is expected to miss two weeks with a strained biceps tendon, an injury that further damages the Cavs’ fading playoff hopes.