James entered the game needing 21 points to surpass Reggie Miller (25,279) for 18th place on the career scoring list.
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Cleveland were made to work for the victory however, with Orlando fighting back from 12 points down to lead by eight points in the second quarter at 42-34.
Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James (23) shoots over Orlando Magic’s Aaron Gordon.
Love has been hot for the Cavaliers, averaging 24.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 3.2 three-pointers over the past five games. He reached No. 25 in assists by passing Norm Nixon Monday night.
Former Warriors shooting guard Jason Richardson couldn’t believe the fortunate timing: Golden State honored him Tuesday and he got to be at Oracle Arena to see his old team make history. “I think you take him away from scoring, take him away from making those easy dish passes to guys for three-pointers and those types of things”.
In 35 minutes, James compiled 15 points, six rebounds and 13 assists. “I don’t”, James said. At 11-3, they own the best record in the Eastern Conference.
Kobe Bryant shot 1 of 14 for just four points, matching the worst-shooting performance of his career in a game where he had at least one basket. The Cavaliers are an unselfish team with an average of 25.1 assists per game, ranking fourth in the National Basketball Association.
Cleveland’s lead would have been greater at intermission, but it stopped playing defense after going up 11 early in the game and Orlando caught fire.
But while the Cavaliers marched on, it was another dismal night for the Philadelphia 76ers, who slumped to their 15th straight defeat since the start of the season in a 100-95 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Jahlil Okafor had 25 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks for Philadelphia.
The Milwaukee Bucks surprised the Detroit Pistons 109-88, while the Miami Heat were too good for the New York Knicks 95-78.
Monday’s game started poorly for the Magic (6-8). “I don’t know. It would be great to be on that team that wins 70 games”, he said. “We were trying to take it to them instead of reading the defense and seeing what was available”.
Coach Stan Van Gundy said after that game that Drummond was fine. “It was more of a group effort”. It was his seventh double-double of the season.
Back on the court following a hamstring injury, Durant scored 27 points and tallied six rebounds.
“It was the communication”, Johnson said.
“It’s not easy defending in this league”, Spoelstra said.
Regardless of player personnel, no coach can be fully comfortable matching up against James, a truly unique and unstoppable talent, but Dwane Casey has to feel a whole lot better about his team’s chances with Carroll on the roster.
Wade credits Spoelstra and Whiteside as two keys in Miami’s ability to get stops.
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When a player turns passing the milestones of all-time great players into a monthly list of accomplishments, that might be more impressive than even passing those marks. As long as we’re doing well on defence, I’m happy.
