Four-time NBA MVP LeBron James racked up a game-high 26 points while playing with flu symptoms to power the short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers to a 90-82 home victory against the visiting New Orleans Pelicans at the Quicken Loans Arena on Monday.

According to ESPN, Cleveland's starting All-Star guard Kyrie Irving missed his second consecutive game after suffering from tightness in his right hamstring. As a result, the Ohio-based basketball club came up with only 10 players in Cavaliers uniform.

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Forward Kevin Love contributed 12 points and pulled down 11 rebounds despite playing for only 24 minutes after experiencing food poisoning, while J.R. Smith is still sidelined with a right thumb injury.

With the team's star players having health issues, forwards Channing Frye and Richard Jefferson made significant contributions to the team's triumph. Frye, 33, chipped in 14 markers, six boards, and two blocked shots while veteran Jefferson finished the game with a double-double game production of 12 points and 12 rebounds.

The incumbent NBA champions, who have won 13 of 15, managed to keep going despite the difficulties.

"As ugly as it was tonight, you have to find a way to get through it," James, who struggled offensively with a 9-21 shooting from the field, said.

Despite an awful shooting night, the two-time Associated Press Athlete of the Year winner nailed in six-straight points and managed to block a shot over a late 1:47 stretch to seal Cleveland's eight victories in nine games played.

The victory strengthened the Cavaliers hold to the top of the team standing in the Eastern Conference. The team currently has an impressive 26-7 win-loss card and improved their home games record to 18-2 this season.

The Cavaliers are three games ahead of the East's second-best team Toronto Raptors (23-10) and six victories better than the Boston Celtics (20-14).

Tagscleveland cavaliers, Lebron James, Kevin Love, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA