James hits 25,000, Cavs handle 76ers
NBA
CAVALIERS 107, 76ERS 100
PHILADELPHIA — LeBron James became the youngest player to reach 25,000 career points, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers past the winless Philadelphia 76ers 107-100 on Monday night.
James had 22 points, 11 assists and 9 rebounds and rallied the Cavs in the second half against a 76ers team that had built a 15-point lead. James and the rest of the Eastern Conference champions had enough to push back after halftime.
James, 30, scored the milestone basket on a dunk with 8:07 left in the fourth quarter, becoming the sixth active player with 25,000 points and the 20th overall. He joined Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki, San Antonio’s Tim Duncan, Minnesota’s Kevin Garnett, Los Angeles’ Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce of the Clippers.
James scored six points in the third quarter to help the Cavaliers start their rally against the 0-3 Sixers. He made 9 of 19 shots and had 4 steals.
But it was the latest major achievement that stuck with James, who went from Ohio prep star to the No. 1 overall selection by Cleveland in the 2003 draft.
“It just means I’ve played with a lot of great teammates, a lot of great coaches,” James said. “I’ve been around some great groups and I’ve been able to reap the benefits. It’s a cool thing. I’ve got more work to do but it’s pretty cool to see where you’re able to kind of stop and look at it.”
Jahlil Okafor, the No. 3 overall pick of this year’s draft, fought through foul trouble and led the Sixers with 24 points. Nik Stauskas scored 15 and Nerlens Noel 14.
SPURS 94, KNICKS 84
NEW YORK — LaMarcus Aldridge scored 19 points, Kawhi Leonard had 18 points and 14 rebounds and San Antonio beat New York to give Tim Duncan a milestone victory.
Duncan had 16 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists in his NBA-record 954th victory with one team. Tony Parker also finished with 16 points. Carmelo Anthony scored 19 points for the Knicks.
ROCKETS 110, THUNDER 105
HOUSTON — James Harden scored 37 points and Houston beat Oklahoma City for its first victory.
It was the first loss for the Thunder, who won their first three games while the Rockets dropped their first three.
An 8-1 run by the Rockets made it 107100 with about two minutes left. Harden capped that key stretch with a three-pointer, knocking it down with Russell Westbrook right in his face.
Westbrook made a three-pointer with 44 seconds left to cut the lead to 108105, and Harden missed a three-pointer on the other end. But Westbrook and Kevin Durant both missed three-pointers on the next possession and Dwight Howard made two free throws with 5.7 seconds left to secure the victory.
Durant led the Thunder with 29 points, and Westbrook added 25 points, eight rebounds and 11 assists.
TRAIL BLAZERS 106, TIMBERWOLVES 101
MINNEAPOLIS — Damian Lillard had 34 points and seven assists and Portland won 106-101 after Minnesota honored fallen coach Flip Saunders with an emotional pregame tribute.
C.J. McCollum scored 18 points and Al-Farouq Aminu had 17 points and nine rebounds for Portland.
Kevin Martin scored 24 points and Ricky Rubio had 12 points, 9 assists and 9 rebounds for the Timberwolves.
BUCKS 103, NETS 96
NEW YORK — Jerryd Bayless scored 26 points, Greg Monroe had 23 points and 13 rebounds and Milwaukee beat winless Brooklyn.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 21 points and Khris Middleton had 17 for the Bucks. Brook Lopez had 18 points and nine rebounds, and Jarrett Jack scored 15 points for the Nets.