LOS ANGELES (AFP) - LeBron James has picked up right where he left off last season, scoring 24 points and dishing out eight assists on Friday as the Cleveland Cavaliers cruised past the Milwaukee Bucks 116-97.
The four-time NBA most valuable player led the Cavaliers in scoring for the second straight game despite missing most of the pre-season with an injury.
When James started the season he knew it was going to take time to fully recover from a sprained left ankle that limited him to just one pre-season game.
He played 37 minutes and drained 10 of 16 shots on Friday in front of a crowd of 18,700 at Milwaukee's Bradley Center arena.
"I felt better tonight than I did after game one," said James who scored a team high 29 points in a season-opening win over Boston on Tuesday.
"Each game is going to be another opportunity for me to get into game shape," he added. "Today I am still not where I want to be."
Don't tell that to the Bucks, who also had to contend with Kevin Love's second double-double of the season.
Love finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds while Kyle Korver tallied 17, hitting five-of-six three pointers.
James said the Cavs stuck to their game plan, setting the tone early on defense before getting the offence "popping".
****LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during the second half of a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin