Majestic Mitchell drops 71 on Bulls

Donovan Mitchell scored a career-high 71 points, the NBA’s single-game best since Kobe Bryant’s 81-point performance in January 2006, and the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied past the visiting Chicago Bulls 145-134 in overtime on Monday night.

Mitchell’s performance sets a Cavaliers franchise record, is tied for the eighth-most points in an NBA game and puts him in company with just five other players in NBA history to score 71 points or more in a contest: Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, David Thompson, Elgin Baylor and David Robinson.

With the Cavaliers trailing 130-127 after a pair of Coby White free throws with 7.4 seconds remaining, Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu sent Mitchell to the foul line. Mitchell made the first, then after intentionally missing the second, chased down the carom for a putback to force a 130-130 tie and send the game to the extra period.

Cleveland capitalized on the momentum in overtime, holding Chicago scoreless for the period’s first 3:55.

DeMar DeRozan finally broke the dry spell with the final two of his 44 points, but the Cavaliers were in firm control at that juncture. DeRozan’s 44-point effort was his fourth game of 41 points or more this season.

Zach LaVine added 26 points and Nikola Vucevic registered 20 points and 13 rebounds in the loss.

Klay Thompson poured in a season-high 54 points and Kevon Looney capped a 20-rebound night with a tip-in at the final buzzer as Golden State Warriors outlasted Atlanta Hawks 143-141 in a double-overtime victory at San Francisco.

Thompson’s 54 points were the second most of his career.

After a Trae Young floater tied the game with eight seconds left in the second extra session, the Warriors went to Thompson, who misfired on a straightaway 3-point attempt. Looney got a hand on the high carom, tapped it off the glass, then retrieved it himself to lay it in for a hoop that survived a video review.

Looney finished with 14 points to go with his game-high 20 rebounds, 10 of which came on the offensive end.

In losing for the fourth consecutive time, four Hawks recorded double-doubles, led by Young’s 30 points and game-high 14 assists.

Dejounte Murray added 25 points and 10 rebounds, while John Collins also had 25 points to go along with 13 boards.

Kyrie Irving scored 21 of his 27 points in the first half as Brooklyn Nets took control early and easily extended the NBA’s longest winning streak to 12 games with a 139-103 rout of visiting San Antonio Spurs.

Kevin Durant had 25 points and 11 assists for Brooklyn, which moved within two of matching the longest winning streak in team history.

Keldon Johnson scored 22 points as the Spurs lost for the seventh time in 10 games. Devin Vassell added 14 for San Antonio.

Lebron James scored 43 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as Los Angeles Lakers earned a 121-115 victory in Charlotte, 10 days after losing at home to the Hornets.

Thomas Bryant had 18 points and 15 rebounds, while Dennis Schroder, who turned in some key baskets in the fourth quarter, and Austin Reaves both had 15 points for the Lakers.

The Hornets trimmed a 24-point, second-half hole to 117-113 before James nailed two free throws with 16.6 seconds to play. He added two more foul shots. Terry Rozier led Charlotte with 27 points. LaMelo Ball added 24 points, and Mason Plumlee had 18 points and 14 rebounds.

Julius Randle led all players with 28 points and 16 rebounds and Jalen Brunson scored eight of his 24 points during a decisive second-quarter run as New York Knicks blasted visiting Phoenix Suns 102-83 for their second straight win.

Mitchell Robinson (10 points, 10 rebounds) also had a double-double for the Knicks, who led 23-11 after the first and mounted a 21-0 run in the second. New York’s Immanuel Quickley scored 15 points.

Deandre Ayton scored 12 points for the Suns, who have lost three straight and are 5-12 since Dec. 2. Chris Paul scored 11 points while Mikal Bridges, Damion Lee and Duane Washington Jr. finished with 10 points apiece.

Other scores: Mavericks 111, Rockets 106; Heat 110, Clippers 100; Timberwolves 124, Nuggets 111; Pacers 122, Raptors 114; 76ers 120, Pelicans 111; Trail Blazers 135, Pistons 106. (Reuters)