LBJ's Record-Setting Scoring Run Comes to a Close, Yet Lakers Pull Off Triumph Over Raptors.

The Lakers star knew his historic streak of putting up 10+ points was at risk. In that crucial moment, however, he wasn't bothered.

The right decision was to pass the ball – and he executed. Consequently, his remarkable run came to an end.

James's staggering streak of over 1,200 straight regular-season games with 10+ points concluded during a recent game, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader finished with a mere eight points during the Lakers' close win against the Toronto Raptors. He provided the clutch helper, finding Rui Hachimura to knock down a three-point shot as time expired.

“Nothing,” James stated when asked about the streak ending. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Choice Delivers Victory

James could have sought to clinch the contest – and preserved the streak – in the closing seconds, instead, he decided to make the extra pass to Rui stationed in the corner. Hachimura made the shot, with LeBron exulted triumphantly.

You have to play basketball the right way. Make the correct play,” James remarked. That has always been my philosophy. That’s how I was taught the game. That's what I've done throughout my career.”

He is very conscious of how many points he has at any point,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted as he has done countless times.”

The Run's End Game

LeBron checked back into the floor one last time with just over five minutes left, the result and his personal record both hanging in the balance. At that stage, he had only six points on 3 for 15 from the field then.

He managed a basket at under two minutes remaining to level the contest then missed a mid-range jumper at 1:01 left which could have gotten him to ten points.

He didn’t take one more attempt – though the opportunity was there. A teammate gave James the ball in the waning seconds, however, James chose to dish it off instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you do it the proper way, they tend to repay you,” Redick added.

The History of a Monumental Record

This incredible run started on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the greatest double-digit streak in NBA history: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 straight double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman recorded with 575.

“He’s such an unselfish player,” noted Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He focuses on playing hoops. The chance was there but due to his nature as a player and just who he is as a person, he executed the unselfish play, found Rui and we won the victory.”

Reaching double digits was usually a formality early in the start of fourth quarters. Over the course of the record, he had attained double figures by the beginning of the final quarter on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.

Yet two such single-digit games after three periods took place in the last week: He had nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, then had six points going into the fourth versus the Suns on Monday night.

He succeeded in preserve the record against the Suns. In the following contest, it was over – and he celebrated all the same.

I only ever make the correct play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James declared. When you make the unselfish play, the game gods consistently giving back to me.”
Shannon Kemp
Shannon Kemp

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in the casino industry, specializing in slot machine mechanics and player psychology.