James scores 24, moves to 12th on scoring list in Cavs’ win

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James reacts after dunking the ball against the Brooklyn Nets in the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 31, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James reacts after dunking the ball against the Brooklyn Nets in the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 31, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

By Associated Press March 31, 2016 3 min read

CLEVELAND (AP) – LeBron James scored 24 points to move into 12th place on the NBA’s career scoring list and the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Brooklyn Nets 107-87 on Thursday night.

James passed Dominique Wilkins with a three-point play in the first quarter. The four-time MVP, who didn’t play in the fourth quarter, has 26,689 career points.

Kevin Love added 19 points for Cleveland (53-22), which leads Toronto by 2 1/2 games for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

Thaddeus Young led Brooklyn with 18 points.

James, who also had 11 assists, sparked a 25-6 run to end the second quarter. After returning with 7:27 remaining, he scored eight points as Cleveland built a five-point margin into a 63-39 lead at halftime.