LeBron hits milestone

Associated Press

CHICAGO

LeBron James became the youngest player to score 15,000 career points, breaking Kobe Bryant’s mark by more than two years, and the Cleveland Cavaliers pulled away to beat Chicago 92-85 on Friday night for their 12th win in 13 games.

James scored 13 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter, giving him 15,026 in his career, and had 11 rebounds. He scored seven straight late in the game as Cleveland increased its lead to 10, sending the Bulls to their 10th straight loss.

James reached the milestone at 25 years, 79 days, and he did it in his 540th game. Bryant was 27 years, 136 days and playing his 657th game, when he did it for the Lakers.

Mo Williams added 18 points for the Cavaliers, who continued to roll without Shaquille O’Neal. They’re 10-1 with their big man recovering from a thumb injury.

The Bulls hung close without the injured Derrick Rose, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah, but matched their longest losing streak since November 2001 despite strong efforts by rookies Taj Gibson (20 points, 13 rebounds) and James Johnson (16 points).

James, who reached the milestone in the opening minutes, put away the Bulls in the closing minutes.

He checked back into the game with just over seven minutes left and Chicago up 75-73 and immediately delivered a two-handed dunk. He hit back-to-back jumpers before a 3-pointer by Anthony Parker gave Cleveland an 83-78 lead with about four minutes left, and James scored seven straight after a dunk by the Bulls’ Taj Gibson to make it 90-80 with 50 seconds left.

The loss simply added to the misery for the Bulls.

Deng could miss two to three more weeks because of a strained right calf.