LeBron James returned to the lineup and the Cleveland Cavaliers got back on track.
James scored 33 points and Tristan Thompson made two crucial plays in the final minute, helping the Cavaliers to a gritty 100-96 win over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night.
An energised James was back after coach Tyronn Lue rested his superstar before Sunday's uninspiring 113-99 road loss to the Washington Wizards.
"They felt like they missed my energy yesterday, so that's what I bring to the table," James said.
"I just try to be their leader, leave an imprint on the game and live with the results."
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Kyrie Irving had 22 points and Kevin Love netted 13 for the struggling East-best Cleveland (42-17), who had dropped three of its last four outings.
"Nothing else mattered but the game," Irving said.
"We all threw ourselves into the game. We kept it strong, we just kept fighting." Indiana led 93-89 after Paul George buried a three-pointer from the right corner. But referees reviewed the shot during a timeout and wiped it out, ruling it came after the 24-second shot clock expired.
A James drive gave the Cavs a 91-90 advantage before George and Monta Ellis made layups at the other end to put the Pacers back on top by three.
After Matthew Dellavedova drilled the tying three-pointer, Thompson hit the go-ahead layup off a James feed with 29.5 ticks to go before blocking George Hill's drive with 18 seconds left.
Elsewhere: - Oklahoma City Thunder 131, Sacramento Kings 116: Kevin Durant scored 26 points, Russell Westbrook posted his ninth triple-double of the season with 20 points, 13 rebounds and 15 assists, and the visiting Thunder rolled the Kings for the 21st time in 25 meetings.
Turkish-native Enis Kanter made all 11 of his field goals en route to 23 points off the bench for Oklahoma City (42-18), who had lost four of their previous five outings.
Sacramento (24-34) were led by DeMarcus Cousins' 35-point, 12-rebound effort.
- LA Clippers 105, Brooklyn Nets 96: Reserve Jamal Crawford scored 10 of his 26 points in the final quarter, Chris Paul had 23 with 12 assists and the Clippers (39-20) pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat the stubborn Nets.
Brook Lopez had 25 points and 10 rebounds for Brooklyn (17-43), who dropped to 2-2 on its nine-game road trip.
Other winners were Milwaukee Bucks, Washington Wizards, Memphis Grizzlies and Boston Celtics.
