Cavaliers clinch NBA’s best record with victory

LeBron James expects to rest during Cleveland’s regular-season finale, a reward for leading the Cavaliers to home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

James scored 37 points as Cleveland beat the Indiana Pacers, 117-109, on Monday night to clinch the league’s best record.

“It’s one step, however, it’s a big step,” James said. “When you consider all the great teams, all the great players, all the great coaches and all the great systems that are in the NBA, for us to finish with the best record is a tremendous feat. And that is something the franchise should be proud of.”

With his team having clinched the top record with a game to spare, Coach Mike Brown will probably make James and other key players spectators against Philadelphia -- even though it could cost the Cavaliers a shot at more NBA history.

A win by the Cavaliers on Wednesday would tie them for the NBA record for best home mark, 40-1, set by the Boston Celtics in 1985-86.

“We’ve got to do what’s best for the ring,” James said. “We’ve got home-court advantage already. We’re not fighting for breaking a record anymore. We’re fighting for that ring.”

And James won’t call his team the favorite for it.

“It’s going to be Boston,” he said. “It goes like that every year. Until you knock off the NBA champs, that’s the team to beat.”

Monday’s performance probably was James’ last chance to impress voters for the MVP award. He shot 12 for 23 from the field and had five rebounds and five assists. Some fans chanted “M-V-P” during the fourth quarter.

Danny Granger, who scored 38 points for the Pacers on Monday, says James makes Cleveland the team to beat. He also says James has elevated his game past Kobe Bryant of the Lakers and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat.

“I think LeBron separates Cleveland from other teams,” Granger said. “He’s virtually unguardable, and I think he makes them special.”

Cleveland did learn that forward Ben Wallace has a strained tendon in his left knee, putting his availability in doubt for the playoffs. There was no timetable for his return, but Brown is optimistic heading into the postseason.

“We have to sacrifice our bodies . . . to come up with that one extra possession that can be the difference not only in a game, but in a series,” Brown said. “And then, we’ve got to rely on our bread and butter, which is defense.”