LeBron James scored 24 points and passed off 12 assists on Sunday, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a club-record 12th win in a row by rallying in the second half to rout Dallas 102-74.
The Cavaliers improved their NBA-best record to 60-13 and improved to 35-1 at home this season as well as eclipsing a team record for consecutive triumphs that had been matched earlier this season.
“It’s an incredible feeling,” James said. “It’s built on teamwork and trust. We won’t change what we are doing. We go out and have fun but we are taking care of business while we are doing it.”
PHOTO: AP
The Cavaliers moved one-and-a-half games ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers, 58-14, in the chase for the NBA’s overall record and a home-court edge throughout the NBA playoffs.
Cleveland’s only home defeat came at the hands of the Lakers in what might have been a preview of June’s NBA Finals.
But the Mavericks, who fell to 43-30, took the largest lead any opponent has held all season over the Cavaliers on their home court, surging to a 35-20 advantage early in the second quarter, aided by 6-of-22 shooting by Cleveland.
PHOTO: AP
The Cavaliers answered by outscoring Dallas 27-14 the rest of the quarter, cutting the half-time hole to 49-47 and ripping the Mavericks in the second half, outscoring them 30-11 in the third quarter and 25-14 in the fourth.
“It almost seemed like two different games,” James said. “We just turned up the defensive starting in the second quarter and that helped get our offense going.”
The biggest scare for Cleveland fans came when James, backpedaling up the court to play defense, crashed into referee Derek Richardson, knocking the wind out of “King James” while the official quickly returned to his feet.
“They should have kicked him out,” James said with a laugh, seeking a flagrant foul on the man with the whistle. “I just lost my breath. It don’t matter how big you are if somebody catches you and you’re running full speed like that.”
CELTICS 103, THUNDER 84
At Boston, Paul Pierce had 27 points and Eddie House scored 14 of his 16 in the second half to lead the Celtics over Oklahoma.
Glen “Big Baby” Davis had 19 points and 10 rebounds and reserve Mikki Moore scored 12 with 11 boards for Boston. Rajon Rondo had 12 assists to help the Celtics win their sixth game of seven despite missing forward Kevin Garnett, who sat out for 15th time in 19 games to rest a strained right knee.
HAWKS 86, LAKERS 76
At Atlanta, Georgia, Mike Bibby scored 21 points — including an improbable three off the top of the backboard — as the Hawks took advantage of a tough outing for Kobe Bryant who only scored 17, knocking the Lakers another game behind Cleveland.
In other games it was:
• Hawks 86, Lakers 76
• Hornets 90, Spurs 86
• Raptors 134, Bulls 129, OT
• Timberwolves 108, Nets 99
• Pistons 101, 76ers 97
• Pacers 124, Wizards 115
• Kings 126, Suns 118
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