Lebron returns and leads the Cavs past the Bucks 102-95

LeBron James came back after missing one game with strep throat and scored 24 points, Kyrie Irving added 25 and the Cleveland Cavaliers held off the Milwaukee Bucks 102-95 on Monday night.

James sat out Saturday's loss to Chicago and was listed as questionable before arriving at the Quicken Loans Arena and getting in a workout. He looked fit from the start, but he wasn't 100 percent, but even at less than full speed, James can dominate.

The Cavs dominated the battle of the boards with a 45-33 edge as Lebron James led the team with 10 rebounds and Tristan Thompson pulled down eight rebounds to go along with his eight points.

Kyrie Irving became the eighth player in Cleveland history to reach 2,000 assists, then joked the knock that he is selfish. "It's good from a guy who doesn't pass," he quipped. "It's nice."

Malcolm Brogdon scored 20 to lead Milwaukee, and Bucks All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo scored just nine on 4-of-13 shooting, while forward Michael Beasley may have a sustained a costly injury when he left the game after he sprained his left knee in the first half.

The Cavs finished the month of February with a 9-2 record and plenty to look forward to. Before the game,they signed free agent Deron Williams for the remainder of the season, will be a serious contender to land big man Andrew Bogut should he clear waivers on Wednesday, and will get J.R. Smith and Kevin Love back in March.

COMING UP NEXT FOR THE CAVS: Cavs begin a three-game road trip when they travel to Boston on Wednesday.