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James's 56-point game can't save Cavs
LeBron James posted a Cleveland record with 56 points - second highest in the NBA this season - but even he couldn't prevent the Cavaliers' ninth straight road defeat.
After hitting just 3-of-20 shots in a home loss to Philadelphia on Friday, James was on fire from the opening tip-off, scoring 16 points in the first quarter and 29 by half-time.
The 2004 Rookie of the Year added nine more in the third quarter and 18 points in the final period.
But the Raptors withstood the onslaught, Jalen Rose scoring 12 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter to lead Toronto.
"I played well, probably the best game of my life, but it means nothing when you come away with a loss," James said. "I knew I wasn't going to have two bad ones (games) in a row. But I don't care about individual stats. I was disappointed to have as good a game as I had, and still come out with a loss."
In his first career 50-point game, James eclipsed the franchise record of 50 by Walt Wesley on February 19, 1971 against Cincinnati.
It was also the most points scored against the Raptors, surpassing the 51 by Philadelphia's Allen Iverson on January 21, 2001.
James made 18-of-36 shots, including seven three-pointers, and was 14-of-15 from the free throw line as he became the sixth player to score 50 points in a game this season.
Only Iverson, who had 60 against Orlando on March 2, has scored more. But the Cavaliers never led in the fourth quarter. A three-pointer by Rose gave Toronto the lead for good at 75-72 with 1:06 left in the third period.
James reached 50 with a short bank shot from the left wing with 2:22 left and connected on a three-pointer with 1:44 remaining to pull the Cavaliers within 99-95.
After Rose hit a three-pointer, James responded with a three-pointer with 43 seconds left.
But Rafer Alston hit a shot from the right baseline to give Toronto a 103-98 lead with 23 seconds remaining and James missed two shots from the arc in the final 15 seconds.
"I just wanted to stay aggressive in the fourth quarter, especially with the way LeBron was playing," Rose said. "He put the team on his back. We put multiple guys on him and it didn't matter. Like I told the guys earlier, once he turns 21 and is able to drink, it's over."
Rick Barry was 21 years, 261 days old when he scored 57 for San Francisco in a game against New York on December 14, 1965.
"It's a great achievement, but I'd rather get it with a win," said James, who is 20 years, 80 days old.
James also grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out five assists.
"It's disappointing to lose today, but this was something special to watch from a great player, and you've got to put him in that category," Cavaliers coach Paul Silas said. "It's too bad we couldn't come out with a win, but that was superb."
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