With Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh sidelined, Mike Miller was the unexpected co-star to two-time NBA MVP LeBron James on Saturday in Miami’s 120-103 victory over Toronto.
James scored 38 points with 11 rebounds, while Miller scored 22 of his 32 points in the second quarter as the Heat ended a four-game losing streak.
James Jones scored 15 points and Eddie House chipped in 13 for the Heat, who played without two of their “big three” superstars. Wade was sidelined by a migraine and Bosh missed his second game with a sprained left ankle.
James said before the contest that he was ready to shoulder the burden. Certainly James delivered, with his eighth straight game of 25 or more points.
Miller notched the 19th 30-point game of his 11-year NBA career. His 22 points in the second quarter were the most ever by a Heat player in a second period.
The Raptors, also short-handed, rallied to close within seven points with less than seven minutes to play.
DeMar DeRozan scored 30 points, while Andrea Bargnani added 28 for Toronto, who had just nine players available for the game and completed an 0-5 road trip.
WIZARDS 85, CELTICS 83
In Washington, John Wall banked in a three-pointer with the shot clock running down in the game’s final minute as Washington completed a comeback from 16-point, first-quarter deficit to beat Boston.
Wall’s fast-break layup with 2 minutes, 35 seconds to play gave the Wizards their first lead, and after the Celtics tied it, Wall made his team’s only three-pointer of the game to put Washington ahead 84-81 with 58 seconds remaining.
Kevin Garnett converted a layup to pull Boston within one, but Paul Pierce missed an 18-footer in the final seconds, and the Celtics’ five-game winning streak ended.
HORNETS 96, SPURS 72
In New Orleans, the Hornets earned an eighth consecutive victory and ended San Antonio’s streak at the same number with a surprisingly one-sided win over the Spurs.
One night after winning by 41 at Atlanta, the Hornets led by as many as 31 against a Spurs team that have the NBA’s best record, but which also have lost twice to New Orleans.
David West had 18 points and 10 rebounds for New Orleans, while Marcus Thornton and Trevor Ariza each hit all four three-pointers they took as the Hornets set a season high with 12 threes. Thornton finished with 18 points and Ariza 15.
In Saturday’s other action, it was:
‧ Thunder 101, Knicks 98
‧ Magic 118, Rockets 104
‧ Hawks 103, Bobcats 87
‧ 76ers 96, Jazz 85
‧ Mavericks 87, Nets 86
‧ Bulls 92, Cavaliers 79
‧ Grizzlies 94, Bucks 81
‧ Pistons 75, Suns 74
‧ Trail Blazers 97, Pacers 92
‧ Clippers 113, Warriors 109
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