TURKEY BOUND – King James carries Cavs past Lakers

CLEVELAND (2010 FIBA World Championship) - There were moments during Cleveland's 93-87 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night when fans sitting at home and watching the game on TV must have stood up and shouted "LeBron".

That's because LeBron James was the best player on the court yet again for the Cavs as they beat Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and the defending NBA champions Los Angeles Lakers.

James had 37 points, nine assists and five rebounds while also coming up with two steals.

"He willed this win for us," Cavs coach Mike Brown said of James.

"He has been doing that for us down the stretch, no matter who our opponent is."

“This,” he said, “is what I live for.”

James says it's too early to commit to playing for Team USA at the FIBA World Chapionship as he is a free agent at the end of the season. He is trying to focus on the Cavs and will then weigh up his NBA options before deciding whether he will play in Turkey.

His performance against the Lakers showed yet again, though, why the Americans want him in their line-up when they travel to Istanbul to face Slovenia, Brazil, Croatia, Iran and Tunisia.

Other players possibly headed to the FIBA World Championship were in action on Thursday night.

Team USA

• Kobe Bryant - He had 31 points for the Lakers in their defeat to Cleveland.
• Carmelo Anthony - The forward poured in 28 points and corralled 10 rebounds for Denver as they whipped the Los Angeles Clippers, 105-85.

Germany

• Elias Harris - A college freshman at Gonzaga, the explosive Harris scored 20 points and pulled down 13 rebounds for the Bulldogs in a 91-84 triumph over Pepperdine. Harris, who played at the EuroBasket last summer for Germany, is averaging 15.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game for the Zags.

FIBA