James sets record in win over Trail Blazers
Agence France-Presse
Miami Heat’s LeBron James. AP Photo/Alan Diaz file photo
MIAMI – LeBron James became the first player to score at least 30 points and shoot 60 percent in six consecutive games as the Miami Heat wrapped up a homestand with a 117-104 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Reigning league MVP James finished with 30 points and nine assists in the final contest of a five-game homestand at the American Airlines Arena on Tuesday. He also shot 11-of-15 (73.3 percent) from the field.
“With how many great and dominate players that have come through over the years and paved the way for me, to be able to have this streak, and to be able to have won each game while also being efficient from the floor means a lot,” James said.
Chris Bosh scored 32 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and Dwyane Wade finished with 24 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Heat, who have won six straight contests.
James joined Hall of Famers Adrian Dantley and Moses Malone as the only NBA players to score 30-plus points and shoot at least 60 percent five straight times in the Heat’s previous win.
Now he is the first NBA player to do it in six straight games.
“To see how small the list was and for me to even be part of that list to start off was — wow,” James said. “To have a record for myself is an honor.
“I was just in a flow. I wanted to be aggressive early in the game. I just went with the flow of the game. I didn’t pressure anything. It just happened.”
Damian Lillard had a game-high 33 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 29 for the Trail Blazers, who have lost four straight. Wesley Matthews had 20 points on eight-of-13 shooting in the loss.
“I thought it was a good effort by our team,” said Trail Blazer coach Terry Stotts. “The Miami Heat are one of the best, if not the best team in the league right now.
“They are playing at a high level. We matched it for about 44 minutes. It was disappointing to come up with a loss, but we lost to a good team.”
Portland led 57-43 with just under five minutes left in the second quarter, but the Heat outscored Portland 15-2 to go into halftime trailing 59-58.
Miami carried the momentum into the third quarter, using a 23-8 run to take an 81-67 lead en route to the win.
The Heat now embark on a four-game road trip against Oklahoma City, Atlanta, Chicago and Philadelphia.
The game also marked Miami’s 1,000th win in team history (1,000-969).
The Blazers’ next game is in New Orleans on Wednesday.
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