LeBron James was back to the form the Cleveland Cavaliers expect as he scored 36 points in a 114-108 overtime win over the Chicago Bulls.

Star man James is back with his first team after four years away at the Miami Heat, and made a false start with a misfiring performance in Thursday's home defeat by the New York Knicks.

But the four-time NBA MVP was looking sharp in Cavaliers colours on Friday as he outshone Chicago's Derrick Rose, who was restricted to a 20-point haul.

Cleveland were five points adrift with 47 seconds to play but forced the extra five minutes in which James took control of proceedings.

James was not the night's highest scorer though, with Rudy Gay plundering 40 points for the Sacramento Kings in their 103-94 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, while Blake Griffin's 39-point haul led the Los Angeles Clippers to a 118-111 success against city rivals the Lakers.

Elsewhere, the Phoenix Suns earned a 94-89 win against the San Antonio Spurs after a late rally, while the Memphis Grizzles toppled the Indiana Pacers 97-89 and the Milwaukee Bucks were 93-81 victors over the Philadelphia 76ers.