LeBron James scored 30 points in another efficient performance, Dwyane Wade scored 20 and the Heat dominated the middle two quarters on the way to an easy 111-89 win over the Clippers last night in Miami.
James shot 9 for 11, giving him 37 makes on his last 47 attempts, and sat out the fourth quarter. It was his fourth straight 30-point game.
The Clippers got Chauncey Billups, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin back from injuries, but that trio of starters combined for just 23 points. DeAndre Jordan led Los Angeles with 17 points.
Miami was without Chris Bosh and Ray Allen, both sidelined with the flu.
Lakers 100, Bobcats 93
In Charlotte, N.C., Kobe Bryant shrugged off a scoreless first half to finish with 20 points, eight assists and seven rebounds and the Lakers overcome a 20-point second-half deficit to avoid a loss to the NBA’s worst team and pull within three games of .500.
Bryant attempted only two shots in the first half, but scored 14 points in the final period, including a driving layup with 40 seconds left to push the lead to five.
Pistons 119, Spurs 109
In Auburn Hills, Mich., Greg Monroe had 26 points and 16 rebounds, and the Pistons snapped the Spurs’ 11-game winning streak as San Antonio played without Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili.
Thunder 127, Suns 96
In Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant scored 21 points, Thabo Sefolosha had a season-high 18 and the Thunder rode a 21-0 third-quarter run to victory over the Suns.
Rockets 118, Blazers 103
In Houston, James Harden had 35 points and 11 assists, Chandler Parsons scored 20 and the Rockets beat the Trail Blazers despite 31 points from Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge.
Raptors 100, Pacers 98 (OT)
In Indianapolis, Rudy Gay scored 17 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, leading the Raptors over the Pacers. Toronto won it when Gay hit a 17-foot jumper with 1.7 seconds left and Paul George’s 15-footer rimmed out as the horn sounded.