James scores 57 as Cavaliers end skid

Look out, NBA. Walking to the locker room after scoring 57 points Friday night, LeBron James expressed what amounted to a warning for upcoming opponents: “This is the best I’m feeling in my career.”

James poured in the secondhighest point total of his career and an NBA-best this season to help his Cleveland Cavaliers end a fourgame losing skid by beating the host Washington Wizards 130-122 on Friday night.

He hadn’t scored this much since getting a career-high 61 for the Miami Heat on March 3, 2014, against the Charlotte Hornets.

And James did it efficiently, making 23 of 34 field-goal tries and all nine free throws, while adding 11 rebounds and seven assists.

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.

Houston 119, at Atlanta 104:

James Harden scored 21 of his 29 points in Houston’s high-scoring first half as the Rockets handed the Hawks their eighth straight loss. Eric Gordon and Luc Mbah a Moute each scored 20 for Houston.

Boston 101, at Oklahoma City 94:

Kyrie Irving scored 22 of his 25 points in the second half and the Celtics rallied from 18 points down to win their seventh straight game. Al Horford scored 17 of his 20 points after halftime for the Celtics.

at San Antonio 108, Charlotte 101:

Bryn Forbes scored 22 points as San Antonio snapped a four-game skid. The Spurs played without Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker, who are out because of injuries.

Toronto 109, at Utah 100:

DeMar DeRozan scored a season-high 37 points for the Raptors.

at Detroit 105, Milwaukee 96:

The Pistons’ Andre Drummond scored 24 points, going 14 of 16 at the free throw line.

at Philadelphia 121, Indiana 110:

J.J. Redick scored 31 points and hit three decisive three-pointers late in the game for the 76ers.

at New York 120, Phoenix 107:

Kristaps Porzingis scored 37 points for New York, which gave coach Jeff Hornacek his first victory over his former team.

New Orleans 99, at Dallas 94:

Anthony Davis had 30 points and 13 rebounds, and DeMarcus Cousins added his second 20-20 game of the season for the Pelicans.

at Denver 95, Miami 94:

The Nuggets’ Paul Millsap had 27 points, including three crucial free throws with 11.9 seconds left.

at Lakers 124, Brooklyn 112