LeBron scores 57 in Cavs’ win
WASHINGTON — Just in case there were any questions about Eastern Conference supremacy, LeBron James poured in 57 points — the secondhighest total of his career and an NBA-best this season — to help the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers end a four-game losing skid by beating the Washington Wizards 130-122.
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, making 23 of 34 field-goal tries and all nine free throws, while also adding 11 rebounds and 7 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.
Cleveland finally looked like a team that has been to the NBA Finals three consecutive years, thanks in large part to James.
“It’s, like, it’s ‘his’ Finals. Seems like every year he’s there,” Wizards coach Scott Brooks said before tipoff. “I can imagine there’s no, like, panic in their locker room.”
The Cavaliers had lost the four preceding games by a total of 64 points, the worst such stretch James has experienced since he was a rookie.
CELTICS 101, THUNDER 94
Kyrie Irving scored 22 of his 25 points in the second half and Boston rallied from 18 down to beat host Oklahoma City for its seventh straight victory.
SPURS 108, HORNETS 101
Bryn Forbes had 22 points and San Antonio’s reserves propelled it to a victory over visiting Charlotte.
PISTON 105, BUCKS 96
Andre Drummond scored 14 of his 24 points in the third quarter as host Detroit beat Milwaukee.
76ERS 121, PACERS 110
J.J. Redick scored 31 points and Philadelphia moved above .500 for the first time in nearly four years with a victory over visiting Indiana.
PELICANS 99, MAVS 94
Anthony Davis had 30 points and 13 rebounds, and visiting New Orleans started a four-game trip with a victory over lastplace Dallas.
RAPTORS 109, JAZZ 100
DeMar DeRozan scored a season-high 37 points and Toronto finished its longest road trip of the season with a victory over Utah.
NUGGETS 95, HEAT 94
Paul Millsap had 27 points, including three straight free throws late in the game, and Denver topped visiting Miami.
LAKERS 124, NETS 112
Brook Lopez scored 34 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to help lead Los Angeles past visiting Brooklyn.
BULLS 105, MAGIC 83
Robin Lopez had 11 points and 10 rebounds, and visiting Chicago beat Orlando.
KNICKS 120, SUNS 107
Kristaps Porzingis had 37 points as host New York beat Phoenix, giving Jeff Hornacek his first win over his former team.
LAKERS’ NANCE SIDELINED
Los Angeles forward Larry Nance Jr. will be out for at least four weeks after having surgery to repair his broken left hand.