James shoots way into record book

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

— It’s not the type of streak that LeBron James ever thought about, this run of putting together at least 30 points and 60 percent shooting in six consecutive games.

Still, it’s something he’ll savor. He’s rolling right now, and so are the Miami Heat.

James scored 30 points on 11-for-15 shooting to get into the NBA record books, Chris Bosh scored 32 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and the Heat wound up beating the Portland Trail Blazers 117-104 in a momentum-swinging game Tuesday night.

It was the 1,000th regular-season victory in Heat history. But on this night, the only achievement anyone will remember was what James accomplished.

“I’m at a loss for words,” James said in a televised postgame interview. “Like I say over and over, I know the history of the game. I know how many unbelievable players who came through the ranks, who paved the way for me and my teammates. And for me to be in the record books by myself with such a stat - any stat - it’s big-time.”

Dwyane Wade added 24 points for Miami, which wasted two 14-point leads then put the game away with a 14-0 run in the final minutes. Ray Allen added 14 for Miami.

Damian Lillard had a gamehigh 33 points for Portland, which got 29 from LaMarcus Aldridge and 20 from Wesley Matthews.

Just like the Heat, the Blazers also saw a 14-point lead slip away in the game, and then simply got shut down late by a stretch of airtight Miami defense.

“That was typical Miami Heat stuff,” Lillard said. “Transition, finishing strong around the rim, and LeBron picking defenses apart.”

James has made 70 of his past 96 shots, over the past six-plus games. According to the Heat, only Adrian Dantley and Moses Malone had done the 30-point, 60-percent streak in five consecutive outings before James joined their club.

Now he stands alone.

“That’s why he is who he is,” Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra said. “The best player in the game.”

Added Wade: “Obviously he is doing something that is amazing and special.”

And on a night where the teams took turns putting together big runs, it was the Heat who had the last rally - ultimately, the last laugh as well.

With the game tied at 99-99 James drove baseline on former Cleveland teammate Sasha Pavlovic for a two-handed slam that he punctuated with a long scream.

The Heat immediately responded. Matthews made a three-pointer on the next Portland possession to give the Trail Blazers their last lead. Miami scored the next 14 points, and when James got loose for a dunk with 2:38 remaining, the record was his - the first stretch of six consecutive 30-point games on 60 percent or better shooting in each outing.

Sports, Pages 27 on 02/13/2013