King James ties Jordan’s double-digit scoring streak

LOS ANGELES: Cleveland superstar LeBron James matched NBA icon Michael Jordan’s record streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games in leading the Cavaliers to a 118-105 win over the Charlotte Hornets.

James finished with 41 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for the Cavs, who bounced back from a dismal defeat in Miami on Tuesday in which they scored just 79 points.

He hit double digits in the second quarter with an alley-oop dunk off a pass from JR Smith.

“Anytime I’m in the same conversation with Mike and other great guys it lets me know I’m doing the right thing,” said James, whose streak began on Jan 6, 2007.

Jordan put together his streak from 1986-2001.

It was a milestone night for Charlotte’s Kemba Walker as well. With 21 points he surpassed Dell Curry (9,839 points) as the Hornets’ all-time leading scorer.

James said such moments should be savoured – even in a losing effort. But he said records aren’t what drive him.

James said the Cavs had to bounce back after they were stymied by the Heat.

“Miami did a great job of pushing us out of our comfort zone and we wanted to come in here tonight and try to get that back, and we did that,” said James.

Cleveland, who were without Kevin Love after the forward suffered a concussion in Miami, are just half a game ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers for third place in the Eastern Conference.

The 76ers’ 118-101 win over the New York Knicks was their eighth straight, their longest winning streak since they won nine in a row from Feb 12 through March 3, 2003.

In Minneapolis, Minnesota’s KarlAnthony Towns erupted for a career-high 56 points to propel the Timberwolves to a 126-114 win over the Atlanta Hawks. — AFP