LeBron catches fire, drops 40

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — LeBron James delivered another epic performance on Sunday, scoring 40 points and matching a career-high with nine three-pointers on 10 attempts as the Los Angeles Lakers rolled to a 116-104 National Basketball Association (NBA) victory at Brooklyn.

James, a four-time NBA Most Valuable Player and the NBA's oldest active player at 39, made 13-of-17 shots from the floor overall and added seven rebounds and five assists in an effort that had Brooklyn fans giving him a standing ovation.

"I was feeling pretty good today, obviously, shooting the ball from the perimeter," James said.

"I just try to continually put my game where I have no weaknesses out on the floor, especially offensively. Tonight, I had it going from the three-point line."

James achieved his 77th NBA career 40-point game to match Oscar Robertson for seventh on an all-time list topped by Wilt Chamberlain's 271.

"I love this game. I try to put everything into the game and with it, it gives back to me," James said.

"Anytime I'm linked with the greats
— and obviously Big O was a big inspiration for me growing up, reading about his history –- it's pretty cool."

Anthony Davis added 24 points and 14 rebounds while Japan's Rui Hachimura had 20 points and 10 rebounds as the Lakers seized a 17-0 lead and never looked back.

D'Angelo Russell scored 18 points and cracked the 10,000-career point barrier in the triumph as the Lakers improved to 42-33, just ahead of Golden State in the last two Western Conference play-in spots.

"Just extremely thankful that he packed the cape on this road trip," Lakers coach Darvin Ham said of the super heroic display by James.