A loud chorus of boos greeted Miami Heat star LeBron James on Thursday in his NBA return to Cleveland, but neither the hecklers nor his former teammates could do much to stop the playmaker.

Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player James was impressive in his first game in Cleveland since ditching the Cavaliers last July to join the Miami Heat as a free agent along with fellow superstars Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.

James and Wade each scored 14 points in the first half to power Miami to a 59-39 half-time lead, helping diminish the decibel level of the jeers. Miami won 118-90.