It doesn't happen often, but LeBron James lightened the workload for members of the media Friday night.
James acknowledged his team had some soul-searching to do after the Cavaliers dropped their third straight game, 111-105 to the Bulls in Chicago.
"The honeymoon stage is over. There is your headline," James told reporters after the game. "We got to man up. Everybody."
James made sure to include himself in that category. The four-time MVP had 27 points, 13 points and five rebounds, but also turned the ball over eight times. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love combined for 35 points but needed a combined 35 shots to get them, only hitting 14.
MORE: Classic photos of LeBron James
But it wasn't just the Cavs' poor play that led to the loss. Chicago got 20-plus points from Dwyane Wade, Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler, as well as a triple-double from Rajon Rondo.
It was an especially enjoyable night for Wade, who enjoys facing his former Heat teammate.
MORE: LeBron pays off debt to Wade by wearing Cubs uniform
"If I could play against him 82 games a year I would. I love competing against him," Wade told ESPN after the game. "He brings out the best in me."
Stud of the Night
When Taj Gibson has the type of night he had Friday, the Bulls can be scary. Gibson scored 23 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out five assists in the win.
Dud of the Night
Kristaps Porzingis struggled from the field, hitting just two of his 12 attempts and finishing with just five rebounds as the Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 118-114.
Tweet of the Night
The 76ers lost 105-88 to the Magic but Joel Embiid was again impressive, going for 25 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.
📊: 25 PTS / 10 REB / 4 AST / 60 3P%@JoelEmbiid Highlights vs Orlando ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/YFXyrd1kiQ
— Philadelphia 76ers (@Sixers) December 3, 2016
Looking ahead
Hawks (10-10) at Raptors (13-6) 7:30 p.m.: The Raptors are hot, having won five games in a row, and the Hawks are not, having lost five in a row. Will both trends continue, or will the Hawks finally get back into the win column?