MIAMI — 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 straight games. MIAMI — It’s not the type of streak that
MIAMI — 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 straight 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 wild, momentum-swinging game on Tuesday night.
It was the 1,000th regular-season win in Heat history.
But on this night, the only history 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 a pair of 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 game-high 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 straight 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-all, 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 3-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, history was his — the first stretch of six straight 30-point games on 60 percent or better shooting in each outing.
“He played a very good basketball game,” Spoelstra deadpanned afterward. “That’s all you’re going to get out of me right now. He competes. He loves to compete. He loves close games. … And he’s leading us, not just with his talent.”
