LeBron James scored 32 points and 13 assists to propel Cleveland to a 115-106 win over the Orlando Magic on Thursday as the Cavaliers equalled their franchise record with their 13th successive win. The league's reigning MVP spearheaded a Cleveland surge in the fourth-quarter that decided the game. The Cavaliers were trailing by two points with 7:31 left before James turned on the heat, scoring or assisting on five straight baskets during an 11-0 run that sunk the Magic.
"It's definitely fun when you get one of the best teams in your house or when you play against one of the best teams," James said. "You want to try to see where you match up and you want to see if that winning streak is really valid. It was a great game by both teams." Dwight Howard had 19 points and 11 rebounds while Rashard Lewis added 19 for the Magic, who trailed for most of the first half. Guard Delonte West also gave the Cavs a boost in his return to action after missing nine games through injury.
"Delonte was terrific. He did a nice job running the team," said the Cavaliers' coach, Mike Brown. "He hit some big buckets to keep us in the game when it was close." In other NBA news, an ankle injury will keep the Los Angeles Lakers guard, Kobe Bryant, out of tomorrow night's NBA All-Star Game at Dallas Cowboys Stadium. The Philadelphia 76ers' guard Allen Iverson will also miss the game because of "personal reasons", the NBA said.
Bryant will be replaced on the Western Conference squad by the Dallas Mavericks' guard Jason Kidd, while the New York Knicks forward David Lee will take Iverson's spot on the East roster. * With agencies