James hits milestones as Nets fall
CLEVELAND — LeBron James had quite a February, and continues a one-of-a-kind career.
He finished the month averaging a triple-double for the first time in his career after having 31 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists on Tuesday night in the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-123 win over the Nets. James has 12 triple-double this season and 67 in his career.
“Scoring has always been last for me,” James said. “I’ve never looked at myself as a scorer.”
His 11th assist on Tuesday came late in the game and gave him 8,000 in his career. He’s the first player in NBA history with 30,000 points, 8,000 rebounds and 8,000 assists.
“With the long list of so many great players that have come through this league, in the history of this league, for me to be the only (person) in a category, I think it’s pretty cool,” James said.
James also became the first frontcourt player and the 11th overall in league history to reach 8,000 assists.
HEAT 102, 76ERS 101
Dwyane Wade scored a season-high 27 points, the last of those coming on a jumper that gave Miami its only lead of the fourth quarter with 5.9 seconds left, and the host Heat rallied to beat Philadelphia.
Wade tallied 15 of his points in the fourth quarter, and the Heat won a game in which they never led by more than three points.
The 76ers led by as many as 10 points in the fourth and had a chance to win at the buzzer, but JJ Redick’s wide-open 3-point try bounced off the rim.
WIZARDS 107, BUCKS 104
Bradley Beal scored 21 points, hitting a clutch 3-pointer and a free throw down the stretch, to help Washington win at Milwaukee.
The Bucks lost a chance at clinching the season series with the Wizards who hold the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 23 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for Milwaukee.
TRAIL BLAZERS 116, KINGS 99
Damian Lillard had 26 points and 12 assists, and Portland won its fourth straight with a home win over Sacramento.
Jusuf Nurkic added 17 points and nine rebounds for Portland, which sits in fifth place in the Western Conference — a game back of San Antonio — after winning five of its last six games. The current four-game winning streak matched the team’s longest of the season.
HORNETS 118, NETS 103
Kemba Walker scored 31 points and Dwight Howard added 24 after returning from a firstquarter back injury as Charlotte knocked off visiting Chicago to win its season-best fifth game in a row.
Zach LaVine led seven Bulls players in doubledigits with 21 points as Chicago (20-41) dropped its fifth consecutive game.