James scores 51 for Cavaliers
LeBron James’ sore right knee didn’t throw off his shot much.
James scored 51 Saturday night, becoming the youngest player in NBA history with 5,000 points in his career, and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Utah Jazz 108-90 Saturday night in Salt Lake City to snap a six-game losing streak.
The Cavaliers avoided going winless on a six-game road trip and were assured that James, who had X-rays on his knee earlier in the day, should be fine.
“I was just fighting through it,” said James, who decided shortly before the game to test the knee by starting. “I was trying to fight through a cold, but I didn’t want to make any excuses. I didn’t want to be in the position where I wasn’t there for my team tonight.”
James, who turned 21 on Dec. 30, needed 45 points to pass Kobe Bryant as the youngest player to reach 5,000. Bryant was 22 when he scored his 5,000th point.
James was one point off his season high and eight away from tying his career high.
By the end, he had won over the Utah fans and left to a standing ovation with 1:35 remaining.
“He was terrific. He made his shots and he’s just a wonderful player,” Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. “I think we’re intimidated by him a great deal.”
The Jazz fell to 20-21, the first time they’ve had a losing record since falling to 16-17 with an 87-65 loss at Memphis on Jan. 6.
James, who also had eight assists, was 19 for 35 from the floor and made 9 of 11 free throws and the Cavs won for the first time since a 96-88 victory over the Bucks on Jan. 7.
“I came real close” to not playing, James said. “If it had been a 1 o’clock game, I wouldn’t have made it.”
By 7 p.m, he appeared fine. An hour later, James had the Jazz falling down while trying to keep up with him.
James made a head fake to the basket that got Matt Harpring off balance, then stepped back and hit a turnaround jumper from the free-throw line to put the Cavs up 61-56 late in the third quarter.
After two free throws for Utah, Donyell Marshall made a 3-pointer and James extended the lead to 66-58 when he leaped through the lane for a one-handed dunk with about 2 minutes left in the third quarter.
James was short in his postgame comments, apparently upset over criticism he faced during the streak.
“It was a great performance. People need to understand that he’s only 21 years old,” said Marshall, who scored 24. “The criticism he’s taking is unfair.”
Bulls 101, Pacers 89: At Indianapolis, Andres Nocioni scored 20 points and Tyson Chandler added 15 points and 14 rebounds to help Chicago beat Indiana.
Kirk Hinrich added 16 points and seven rebounds as the Bulls handed the Pacers their worst home loss of the season.
Magic 83, Kings 78 (OT): At Orlando, Fla., Steve Francis had 18 points and nine rebounds, and made four free throws in overtime to give the Magic a win over Sacramento.
Francis also made the basket that forced overtime on a layup with 21 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Mike Bibby then dribbled to the baseline and kicked it out to Brad Miller, who missed a long jumper that would’ve given the Kings the win.
The Kings didn’t make a field goal in the overtime period, and the Magic had one.
Nets 103, Celtics 83: At East Rutherford, N.J., Vince Carter scored 25 points and Jacque Vaughn had a season-high 13 off the bench to help New Jersey beat Boston.
Nenad Krstic added 16 points and Scott Padgett scored 13 for New Jersey, which has won 13 of its past 17 games. Boston lost its sixth game in its past nine.
Paul Pierce led Boston with 20 points.
Hornets 109, Knicks 98: At New York, Chris Paul had 27 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds to lead New Orleans over the Knicks.
Paul, who leads NBA rookies in points and assists, recorded his 12th double-double of the season.
David West scored 19 points and Desmond Mason added 16 for the Hornets (20-20), who have won five of their last six games.
Bucks 101, Bobcats 91: At Milwaukee, Michael Redd scored 23 of his 35 points in the second half as the Bucks beat Charlotte. Milwaukee won for the second time in two nights and improved to 6-0 against Charlotte.
James’ mother arrested
LeBron James’ mother was arrested for driving while intoxicated, disorderly conduct and other charges in Akron, Ohio. She was released on $2,500 bond.
Gloria James was pulled over Friday night by two off-duty officers, who were working security for the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, said Akron Police Lt. Rick Edwards.
She is scheduled to appear in Akron Municipal Court on Monday.