Sun, Mar 23, 2008 - Page 23 News List

NBA: 'King James' crowned Cavs' top scorer

SECOND TO NONE LeBron James surpassed Brad Daugherty as Cleveland's career scoring leader as he propelled the Cavaliers to victory over Toronto 90-83

DPA AND AP , LOS ANGELES

The Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James, right, is defended by the Toronto Raptors' Anthony Parker during the fourth quarter of their NBA game on Friday in Cleveland, Ohio. James scored 29 points to become the franchise scoring leader as the Cavaliers won their ninth straight home game 90-83.

PHOTO: AP

It's taken LeBron James less than five seasons to make his point.

"King James" tossed in 29 points to become the Cleveland Cavaliers' all-time leading scorer as the reigning Eastern Conference champions beat the Toronto Raptors 90-83 on Friday for their ninth consecutive home victory.

James entered the contest needing five points to break Brad Daugherty's mark of 10,389 in 548 games. A driving scoop layup at the 4:11 mark of the first quarter gave him the record and earned the local hero a rousing standing ovation from his adoring fans at the Quick and Loan Arena.

"I never set out to be the all-time scorer in franchise history," said James, who has accumulated 10,414 points in 380 games. "I just wanted to be the best player I could be every night, get better and help our team. I never dreamed it, but now that it's here, it's an unbelievable experience and the fans showed their appreciation by supporting me every night."

Cavaliers coach Mike Brown praised his young superstar leader, saying: "I am extremely proud of LeBron and to get that franchise record now is absolutely freakin' amazing. The crazy thing about it is he's just 23."

James finished the first half with just six first-quarter points. However, the league's top gun and a favorite MVP candidate, torched Toronto for 23 after intermission, including 11 with just over seven minutes left to play.

With the Cavs ahead by two, James drove in for his second thunderous dunk of the period, giving the hosts an 81-77 advantage. He drilled a three-pointer with 3:02 left, pushing the lead to 86-79.

Leading 88-83, Joe Smith buried a jumper from the left corner with 13.8 seconds left to close out the victory.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 16 points with 10 rebounds for the Cavs (40-30) while reserves Devin Brown and Damon Jones finished with 14 and 10 points, respectively.

Chris Bosh tallied 24 points, while Rasho Nesterovic had 16 for Toronto (35-34), which has lost four of its last six games.

Rockets 109, Warriors 106

At Oakland, California, Tracy McGrady scored 26 points, Bobby Jackson hit an improbable three-pointer and the Rockets got back to their winning ways.

Houston had lost two straight following a 22-game winning streak that was the second longest in NBA history.

The power-packed Western Conference gave the Rockets little cushion and a third straight loss would have dropped them into a tie for sixth place with San Antonio in the conference.

Instead, they rode the all-around play from McGrady and clutch shooting from Jackson to move within percentage points of New Orleans for the lead in the Southwest Division.

Baron Davis scored 27 points and Monta Ellis added 24 to lead the Warriors.

Lakers 130, SuperSonics 105

At Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant scored 23 points and seven of his teammates also scored in double digits as Los Angeles sent Seattle to its 10th straight loss.

The Western Conference-leading Lakers returned to Staples Center from an arduous 2-2 road trip that concluded with victories over Dallas and Utah -- who were a combined 58-8 at home before they got there.

They never trailed in their sixth straight win over the Sonics, whose 16-53 record is the second-worst in the NBA.

Rookie Kevin Durant had 20 points for the Sonics.

Grizzlies 120, Knicks 106

At New York, Mike Miller scored 24 of his 34 points in the first half, and Memphis snapped an 18-game road losing streak.

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