NEW YORK, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Thanks to Donovan Mitchell's 71 points, the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied to beat the Chicago Bulls 145-134 in overtime on Monday.
The 71 was the highest single-game points total since former Lakers great Kobe Bryant made 81 against the Toronto Raptors in 2006.
"I know I scored 70 and all, but I wouldn't be here without my teammates. We wouldn't be in this position without guys making crucial plays and that's the honest truth," Mitchell said after the game.
The Bulls led by 18 points in the third quarter, but the Cavs clawed back, and Mitchell grabbed the rebound of his own intentionally missed free throw and drained a layup with three seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Subsequently, the game went into overtime.
Mitchell scored 13 points in overtime.
"We were treated tonight to one of the greatest performances in the history of the NBA," Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff said.
DeMar DeRozan scored 44 points for the Bulls.
In San Francisco, Klay Thompson scored a season-high 54 points as the defending champions Golden State Warriors beat the Atlanta Hawks 143-141 after double overtime.
The Warriors, still without injured star Stephen Curry, have now won five straight home games.
Elsewhere, the Los Angeles Lakers won 121-115 at the Charlotte Hornets, the Philadelphia 76ers won 120-111 at the New Orleans Pelicans, the Dallas Mavericks won 111-106 at the Houston Rockets, the Brooklyn Nets won 139-103 at the San Antonio Spurs, and the Minnesota Timberwolves won 124-111 at the Denver Nuggets. ■
