MINNEAPOLIS — Playing LeBron James any day of the year is enough to make most opponents break out in cold sweats in the middle of the night.
Be one of the unfortunate teams to get a game against King James on his birthday, and you know you’re in for a long night.
James turned a ripe old 27 on Friday, and he responded with 34 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds as the Miami Heat (4-0) beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 103-101.
The Heat superstar says he always plays with a little extra juice on his birthday.
“My birthday and my mom’s birthday are the two days I feel real, real good about playing basketball,” James said on Friday morning after the team’s shootaround. “I’ve had the luxury of having games on my birthday and my mom’s birthday so we’ll see what happens.”
That was bad news for the Timberwolves, who almost pulled off the upset. It was the fifth time in James’ nine seasons that he has played on his birthday.
In four previous birthday games, James has averaged 35.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists. He’s also shot 55 percent from the field and 45 percent from 3-point range.
So what gets into him on those days?
“You know my birthday when I turned 15 or I turned 9, when I was growing up, it wasn’t the best of days on my birthday,” he said. “To see where I am today, and to be able to turn 21 and be in the NBA and turn 22 and now turn 27 and be a part of this league, it’s a testament.”
James’ best birthday performance came in 2009 when he had 48 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in a victory over Atlanta.
