THE lethal combination of LeBron James and Kyrie Irving was on full display for the first time this preseason in the Cavs’ 108-105 win over the Philadelphia Sixers on Saturday night.

    Irving made his 2016 exhibition debut and scored 15 points on 7-of-13 shooting with three assists in 19 minutes. James matched him with 15 points and added four rebounds and two assists in 17 minutes.

    Both James and Irving played beyond the 15-minute target coach Tyronn Lue had set, probably in part because the Cavs (2-0) were struggling against a Philadelphia team that has not only been bad for years, but was missing most of its regulars due to injury.

    The Sixers (1-2) led by as many as seven in the first half and Cleveland’s lead was only 51-47 at halftime. The Cavs trailed with 18 seconds left in the game before Markel Brown put them up for good with a layup.

    James and Irving only played the first half, as did Kevin Love (two points, 1-of-7 shooting).

    There was little problem with the Cavs’ dynamic duo. Irving’s crossover dribble and acrobatic finishes returned, and after knocking down a few jumpers James started bulling his way to the hoop.

    James shot 6-of-8 from the field, and one of his two misses was when he flubbed an alley-oop pass from Irving in the first quarter that could’ve turned into a nasty dunk. (SD-Agencies)