SCOREBOARD
Thursday, Jan. 17
Phoenix at L.A. Lakers (10:30 p.m. EST). The Lakers have won seven straight, their longest winning streak since March 2004.
STARS
Tuesday
– LeBron James, Cavaliers, poured in a season-high 51 points to lift Cleveland over Memphis 132-124 in overtime.
– Richard Hamilton, Pistons, scored a season-high 39 points as Detroit upended Toronto 103-89.
– Jamal Crawford, Knicks, scored 29 points and New York downed Washington 105-93.
– Andre Miller, Sixers, had 26 points to help Philadelphia rally past Houston 111-107.
– Rashard Lewis, Magic, scored 26 points in Orlando’s 102-88 victory over Chicago.
– Sam Cassell, Clippers, finished with 32 points, helping Los Angeles beat Phoenix 97-90.
SCORING MACHINE
LeBron James scored 51 points, including 25 in the fourth quarter and overtime, to lead Cleveland to a 132-124 victory over Memphis on Tuesday night. James’ 51 points tied Allen Iverson of Denver for the single-game high in the NBA this season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Iverson did it in Denver’s 111-107 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 5.
RARITY
Zach Randolph and Nate Robinson scored 14 points apiece and New York downed Washington 105-93 on Tuesday, getting consecutive wins for only the third time this season. The Knicks will go for their first three-game winning streak of the season Wednesday at New Jersey.
SNAPPED
Samuel Dalembert scored 19 points and blocked a shot in the final seconds as Philadelphia downed Houston 111-107 on Tuesday to snap seven-game losing streak and a five-game road skid. The Sixers beat the Rockets for only the third time in the last 12 meetings.
STRONG IN DEFEAT
Carmelo Anthony scored 36 points, Allen Iverson had 27 and J.R. Smith added 21 in Denver’s 104-93 loss to Atlanta on Tuesday night. Denver had been 12-2 when Anthony scored 27 or more. … Rudy Gay scored 30 points but Memphis fell to Cleveland 132-124 in overtime for its fifth straight loss. … Antoine Walker had season highs with 26 points and 10 rebounds in Minnesota’s 105-98 loss to Golden State. The Timberwolves (5-32) have lost three straight and haven’t halted a losing streak at fewer than five games this season.
OUT
Denver forward Nene underwent surgery Monday to remove a testicular tumor, and a biopsy will determine if it was cancerous. The Brazilian player took an indefinite leave of absence Friday, and there is no timetable for his return.
SPEAKING
“That’s my real estate in the corner. It’s like Monopoly. I’ve got four houses and a hotel on there. It’s what I do.” – Detroit’s Richard Hamilton, after scoring a season-best 39 points on 16 of 22 shooting in a 103-89 win over Toronto on Tuesday.