King James rallies Cavaliers over Raptors

NEW YORK: LeBron James shrugged off five absent players and an ill coach with a virtuoso performance, rallying the host Cleveland Cavaliers over NBA Eastern Conference leaders Toronto 132-129.

The three-time NBA champion and four-time NBA Most Valuable Player scored 35 points, passed out 17 assists and had seven rebounds with no turnovers on Wednesday, making the most assists in any NBA game by a player without losing the ball.

“I’ve never seen anything like it, to be perfectly honest with you – 17 assists, 35 points and no turnovers.

“It’s just amazing,” said Cavaliers associate coach Larry Drew, filling in as Tyronn Lue fights health issues.

The Cavaliers, who made four deals to revamp the roster, remain a threat in the East at 42-29, well back of the Raptors’ record of 53-19 but able to spot them a 79-64 halftime lead before rallying to win.

Charlotte’s Dwight Howard scored 32 points and grabbed 30 rebounds – the first 30-30 performance since 2010 and only the second in 36 years – to lead the Hornets to a 111-105 triumph at Brooklyn.

Howard was the first 30-30 player since Love had 31 points and 31 rebounds for Minnesota in a 2010 victory over New York.

The most recent 30-30 before Love was by Moses Malone in 1982.

At 32, Howard became the oldest player with a 30-30 night since Wilt Chamberlain at age 35.