James Is Youngest to Reach 5,000

LeBron James scored 51 points, becoming the youngest player in NBA history with 5,000 in his career, and the Cleveland Cavaliers ended a six-game losing streak by beating the Utah Jazz, 108-90, Saturday night at Salt Lake City.

James wasn’t even sure he’d play because of a sore right knee he had X-rayed earlier in the day but decided shortly before the game to see how it held up. It looked just fine as James and the Cavaliers avoided going winless on a six-game trip.

James, who turned 21 Dec. 30, needed 45 points to pass Kobe Bryant as the youngest player to reach 5,000. Bryant was 22 when he scored his 5,000th point.

James left to a standing ovation with 1 minute 35 seconds remaining in the game, and the Cavaliers won for the first time in two weeks since a 96-88 victory over the Bucks on Jan. 7.

The Jazz fell to 20-21, the first time they’ve had a losing record since falling to 16-17 with an 87-65 loss at Memphis on Jan. 6.

Orlando 83, Sacramento 78 -- Steve Francis made four free throws in overtime to give the Magic the victory at Orlando, Fla. He also made the basket that forced overtime on a layup with 21 seconds left in regulation.

Mike Bibby then dribbled to the baseline and kicked it out to Brad Miller, who missed a long jumper that would have given the Kings the win.

The Kings didn’t make a basket during the overtime period, and the Magic made only one.

DeShawn Stevenson’s 20-foot jumper with 2:40 left in overtime gave the Magic its first lead since early in the second quarter.

New Orleans 109, New York 98 -- Chris Paul had 27 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds to lead the Hornets at Madison Square Garden.

Paul, who leads NBA rookies in points and assists, recorded his 12th double-double of the season.

David West scored 19 points and Desmond Mason added 16 for the Hornets (20-20), who have won five of their last six games.

Chicago 101, Indiana 89 -- The Bulls handed the Pacers their worst home loss of the season.

Pacer forward Jermaine O’Neal struggled in his return after sitting out three games because of a sprained left ankle. He finished with 13 points and nine rebounds but made only four of 11 shots.

Chicago went on a 7-1 run early in the third quarter to take a 59-55 lead. The Pacers tied the score at 61-61 on a three-point shot by Austin Croshere, but the Bulls ended the quarter on a 14-3 run to take a 75-64 lead.

Milwaukee 101, Charlotte 91 --Michael Redd scored 23 of his 35 points in the second half to lead the Bucks at Milwaukee. Redd, who has scored 30 points or more 15 times this season, had 15 in the third quarter.

Trailing, 56-55, early in the third quarter, Milwaukee went on an 8-1 run to take a 63-57 lead. Charlotte’s Primoz Brezec then scored back-to-back baskets as the Bobcats cut the lead to 63-61.

Redd then sparked a 15-4 run with three three-point baskets and a free throw, and Mo Williams fed Andrew Bogut for an alley-oop dunk, as the Bucks pushed their lead to 78-65 at the end of three quarters.

New Jersey 103, Boston 83 -- Vince Carter scored 25 points and Jacque Vaughn had a season-high 13 off the bench to help the Nets beat the Celtics at East Rutherford, N.J.

The Nets won despite playing without forward Lamond Murray and center Jason Collins, who are sidelined because of knee injuries.

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LeBron James’ mother was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, disorderly conduct and other charges in Akron, Ohio.

Gloria James was pulled over Friday night by two off-duty officers, who were working security for the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, said Akron Police Lt. Rick Edwards.

The officers said the 37-year-old James, who smelled of alcohol and appeared to be disoriented, almost hit their unmarked car with her 2004 Cadillac Escalade.