NBA Special Report: LeBron James scorches the Magic with a 51 point performance
LeBron aka King James had sent the warning signals loud and clear when he resolved to torch up the Orlando Magic, a night before coming into their backyard.
"The simple fact that it's a division opponent, that means a lot," He had said. "Trying to win your division is very key. And also playing exceptionally well on the road is definitely key. That definitely helps later on in the
season. And being an Orlando team that basically said a lot of things about us in the offseason, that definitely adds a little bit to the fire."
At that time, there might not have been many people in Orlando who cared what LeBron James had to say about their franchise.
On Thursday night though, the two times reigning MVP made sure that everybody stood up and took notice.
Facing the very team, whose boss had questioned his competitiveness, LeBron took it all upon himself to make sure that the Magic understand the very meaning of it.
Pitched up against the Magic, one of the most robust defensive team in the league, the dazzling sharp-shooter poured in a season best 51 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists as he singlehandedly sparked Miami Heat to a 104-100 win.
James was in a brutal disposition right from the very start. He grasped the court of the Amway centre with an intensity, unseen so far this season.
James started his night with a mid range pull up jumper and after Chris Bosh netted four from the charity in the ensuing minutes, the sizzling small forward simply went berserk. He carved right through the Magic’s much touted
defence as he bludgeoned the next sixteen Miami points in a scurry.
By the time the buzzer was finally sounded for the culmination of the first twelve minutes of play, James had already thronged to 23 points – the best franchise scoring record ever.
After a record tumbling first quarter, James then sprinted to a personal best in the very next frame. He canned two shots midway through the second quarter to convert his first 11 shots of the game. James finished the half with
29 points, helping the Heat to a 55-45 lead at the break. And his message was quite clear to his South East Division rivals – don’t mess with me again.
"Anybody that questions my competitiveness, they must be looking at the game the wrong way". James said at halftime, referencing the infamous Otis Smith line. "I thought he was, I guess, more of a competitor."
And he was only just starting to warm up.
He set the court ablaze with a scorching triple pointer to start the third period of play. After Wade made two free throws on the Heat’s next possession, James again went downtown as he ensured that the Magic remained at an arm’s
length right throughout the match. He finished the third quarter with 11 points and handed his team a 16 point advantage.
His endeavours for the night had not finished though. After sticking to the glass for the first eight minutes of the final frame, James finally ticked the scoring log with two free throws. Orlando on the other hand, were surging
ever so close. They launched a barrage of triple pointers to creep within six with 1:51 to play.
That was where James again decided to step up the heat.
He banged one down from the three point range to nip the Magic surge and then made an array of free throws to ensure that Magic don’t get a sniff. The match finally ended with Heat victorious by four.
On the night, James not only exacted his revenge on the Magic, but in doing so he also made a unique achievement. With his swashbuckling performance he became only the second player in the last 25 years to have 50 points, 11 rebounds
and eight assists. The last person ever to achieve that feat was none other than the iconic Michael Jordan against Phoenix in the winter of 1989.
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