LeBron erupts for 57, Cavaliers knock off Wizards
WASHINGTON » Just in case there were any questions about Eastern Conference supremacy, LeBron James poured in 57 points — the second-highest total of his career and an NBAbest this season — to help the Cleveland Cavaliers end a four-game losing skid by beating the Washington Wizards 130-122 Friday night.
James hadn’t scored this much since getting a career-high 61 for the Miami Heat on March 3, 2014, against the Charlotte Hornets.
And the four-time league MVP did it efficiently Friday, making 23 of 34 field-goal tries and all nine free throws, while adding 11 rebounds and seven assists. James did it with style, too. He hurdled over a seated Bradley Beal while dribbling, swatted a shot by John Wall off the backboard, and looked for a camera to wag both index fingers in the midst of a three-point play.
James didn’t need much help, but teammates Derrick Rose (20 points) and Jae Crowder (17) each managed to top their season highs before the third quarter was done.
A Cavs club that had lost its four preceding games by a total of 64 points, the worst such stretch James has experienced since he was a rookie, broke out against a Wizards club that keeps insisting it is ready to reach the East finals for the first time in four decades. KNICKS 120, SUNS 107 » Kristaps Porzingis scored 37 points, and Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek got his first victory over his former team.
Porzingis fell just shy of the career-best 38 points he scored Monday against Denver, getting his final points with a highlightreel, end-to-end possession with just under 5 minutes remaining. He raced back in transition for an emphatic block on rookie Josh Jackson, and then got the ball back in transition for a powerful dunk while being fouled. ROCKETS 119, HAWKS 104 » James Harden scored 21 of his 29 points in Houston’s highscoring first half, and the Rockets handed the Hawks their eighth straight loss.
Eric Gordon and Luc Mbah a Moute each scored 20 points for Houston, which improved to 6-1 on the road. PISTONS 105, BUCKS 96» Andre Drummond scored 14 of his 24 points in the third quarter, powering Detroit to the win.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 29 points for Milwaukee. BULLS 105, MAGIC 83 » Justin Holiday scored 19 points, Robin Lopez had 11 points and 10 rebounds, and the Bulls earned their first road win of the season. PELICANS 99,MAVS 94 » Anthony Davis had 30 points and 13 rebounds, DeMarcus Cousins added his second 20-20 game of the season and New Orleans started a four-game trip with a victory over last-place Dallas. SPURS 108, HONETS 101 » Bryn Forbes had 22 points and San Antonio’s reserves propelled the Spurs to a victory over Charlotte, snapping a four-game skid.