Back where their winning streak started on Super Bowl Sunday, the Heat kept rolling right into March Madness.
Now it’s on to Boston to face the rival Celtics — the team who ended the last streak this long.
The Heat equaled the second-longest winning streak in NBA history, pulling away in the fourth quarter yesterday to beat the Raptors 108-91 for their 22nd consecutive victory.
“It’s a special ride right now that we’re on,” LeBron James said. “The best thing about it is we’re doing it together.”
James had 22 points and 12 rebounds for his career-best 32nd double-double of the season, Dwyane Wade had 24 points and nine assists, and Ray Allen scored 16 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter for the defending NBA champions.
Chris Bosh finished with 18 points as the Heat matched the 22 consecutive wins recorded by the 2007-08 Rockets. The NBA’s longest streak is 33 games, set by the 1971-72 Lakers.
Miami will try to move into sole possession of second tonight when it visits the Celtics — who ended the Rockets’ run five years ago and have won 11 in a row at home.
“If there’s any group that would be motivated in a circumstance like this, it’s that team in green,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “I don’t know if the streak will be a big factor but they love playing against us, and vice versa. That’s what happens when you meet a team consecutively in the playoffs. There’s a history there, and that’s what makes these games special.”
Thunder 107, Mavericks 101
In Dallas, Kevin Durant scored 19 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter, Russell Westbrook had 35 including the go-ahead jumper with 1 minute left, and the Thunder beat the Mavericks.
Durant was 3 of 9 from the floor before hitting seven shots in a row during one stretch in the fourth.
Dirk Nowitzki scored 23 points for the Mavericks.
Warriors 108, Rockets 78
In Houston, Stephen Curry scored 29 points, Klay Thompson had 26 with six 3-pointers, and Golden State stayed ahead of Houston in the Western Conference standings.
James Harden and Jeremy Lin scored 21 points apiece for the Rockets, who trail Golden State by 1 1/2 games for the No. 6 seed in the West.
Bucks 115, Magic 109
In Milwaukee, Monta Ellis scored a season-high 39 points, including 25 in the fourth quarter, and the Bucks rallied for a win over the Magic.