Kevin Love scored 40 points, including an NBA-record 34 in the first quarter to help the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 137-125 win over Portland.
Cleveland also set a franchise with 20 three-pointers and showed no signs of being rusty on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT) in their first game in five days.
Love fell three points shy of the league record for points in any quarter, set by Golden State's Klay Thompson, who scored 37 in the third last year.
Love, who set a team record for points in a period, made 11 of 14 field goal attempts, including eight of 10 on three-pointers in the first quarter.
He made his first six shots with five three-pointers.
James had 31 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists for his second triple-double this season and the 44th of his career.
Damian Lillard scored 40 points for Portland, including 25 in the second half.
In other action, San Antonio defeated Charlotte 119-114 with Kawhi Leonard scoring 30 points in the Spurs' seventh straight victory.
Australia's Patty Mills had eight points and four assists for San Antonio.
In Houston, the Rockets beat Toronto 115-102, while Atlanta defeated hosts Indiana 96-85 and Memphis won 104-99 away in double overtime to Philadelphia.
Detroit were too good for Miami 107-84, Phoenix beat Orlando 92-87 and Boston defeated Brooklyn 111-92.
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