The 20-year-old James was 19-for-29 from the floor, including 5-of-9 shooting from 3-point range, and 9-for-10 from the line. He fell four points short of his career high of 56 set in a loss at Toronto on March 20.
Kobe Bryant had the previous NBA high this season of 46 points for the Los Angeles Lakers in an overtime game against New Jersey on Nov. 27.
Kings 123, SuperSonics 104
At Seattle, Bonzi Wells scored a season-high 31 and Peja Stojakovic broke out a shooting slump with 23 to help Sacramento down Seattle and snap a five-game losing streak.
Sacramento overwhelmed Seattle with a 30-13 third quarter and broke its longest losing streak since the 1997-1998 season when the Kings dropped 12 straight.
Wells made 13 of 22 shots -- seven of 10 in the second half -- and had eight rebounds. Mike Bibby scored 24 points, Shareef Abdur-Rahim added 17 and Brad Miller had 15 for the Kings. Ray Allen led Seattle with 24 points.
Clippers 101, Suns 91
At Los Angeles, Elton Brand scored 15 of his 27 points in the third quarter and had 13 rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Clippers over Phoenix.
With the victory, Los Angeles snapped a first-place tie between the Pacific Division rivals and ended the Suns' nine-game winning streak.
Brand also had a season-high six assists and was 11-for-12 from the line. Cuttino Mobley added 25 points and Sam Cassell scored six of his 24 points in the final minute.
Shawn Marion scored 20 points for Phoenix and Kurt Thomas had 13 points and 17 rebounds. Steve Nash added 16 points and 11 assists.
Mavericks 103, Celtics 94
At Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki had 24 points and nine rebounds, Devin Harris added 19 points and Dallas stretched its winning streak to five games.
Adrian Griffin added 11 points and 10 rebounds, and Marquis Daniels had 15 points for the Mavericks, who've won 12 of the last 14 meetings with the Celtics.
Paul Pierce led Boston with 28 points.
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