LeBron James lights it up
LeBron James had 50 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in one of the most spectacular performances in the NBA this season, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 119-105 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night in New York.
James shot 16 of 30 from the floor, including 7 of 13 from 3-point range, in his second 50-point game this season. He exited with fans standing and chanting “MVP!” in the final minute.
He fell two points shy of Kobe Bryant, who had a 52-point game on Sunday against Dallas, the highest in the league this season.
Rockets 117, Pacers 99: At Houston, Tracy McGrady scored 25 points and the Rockets got their franchise-record 16th straight win, beating Indiana.
Celtics 90, Pistons 78: At Boston, Kevin Garnett scored a season-high 31 points to lead Boston to a win over Detroit as the Celtics became the first team to clinch a playoff berth.
Nuggets 126, Suns 113: At Denver, Carmelo Anthony scored 30 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the Nuggets over Phoenix.
Bobcats 118, Warriors 109: At Charlotte, N.C., Jason Richardson punished his former team with 42 points and the Bobcats ended Golden State’s four-game winning streak.
Raptors 108, Heat 83: At Miami, Rasho Nesterovic scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and Toronto beat the Heat to snap a three-game skid.
Jazz 105, Timberwolves 76: At Salt Lake City, Deron Williams had 21 points and 11 assists and Utah won its 17th straight home game, beating Minnesota.
Grizzlies 100, Nets 93: At Memphis, Tenn., Hakim Warrick scored a season-high 25 points and the Grizzlies snapped their nine-game losing streak with a victory over New Jersey.
Hornets 116, Hawks 101: At New Orleans, Chris Paul had 23 points and 18 assists, and the Hornets tied a franchise record with 15 3-pointers in a victory over Atlanta.
Clippers 116, Kings 109 (OT): At Los Angeles, Al Thornton scored 27 points and Dan Dickau added 20 to lead the Clippers to a victory over Sacramento in overtime.
Magic 122, Wizards 92: At Washington, Dwight Howard had 20 points and 11 rebounds as Orlando made an emphatic statement in a possible playoff preview in a victory over the Wizards.
Around the league
Dirk Nowitzki was suspended without pay for one game by the NBA for his hard foul on Utah’s Andrei Kirilenko in the Mavericks’ 116-110 loss to the Jazz on Monday. … The Hornets formally welcomed back Chris Andersen after he spent more than two years sidelined because of a drug suspension. … Charlotte forward Gerald Wallace could return from his fourth concussion in four years as soon as next week. … The Chicago Bulls suspended forward Tyrus Thomas for two games after he missed practice. … Stephon Marbury wants to finish his contract with the Knicks, and acknowledged being hurt recently when Isiah Thomas indicated he might have a different plan. … Former Phoenix Suns star Kevin Johnson, 42, jumped into the Sacramento mayor’s race, announcing he will challenge three-term incumbent Heather Fargo in the municipal election in June.