72
MIAMI » By recent Miami Heat standards, last night’s win counts as close.
The Heat trailed early and waited until the end of the third quarter to make their move, winning by double figures for the ninth game in a row by beating New Orleans 96-84.
Dwyane Wade scored 32 points, topping 30 for the third consecutive game, and Chris Bosh added 23 points and 11 rebounds. The Heat blew the game open with an 18-2 spurt that put them up 94-77.
"This was for us one of the most gratifying wins, because it was a grind-out game," Wade said. "We were able to stick to it until our time finally came."
"They do the same thing every night," Hornets coach Monty Williams said. "Nobody can stop them."
Wade had an especially efficient night: 8-for-13 from the field and 14-for-17 from the free-throw line.
LeBron James had 20 points and seven assists for Miami, which became the sixth team in NBA history to win nine straight games by at least 10 points or more. And James has had a hand in two of those runs — Cleveland was the last team to do it, between Nov. 22 and Dec. 9, 2008.
Only three teams — the 2007-08 Houston Rockets, 2003-04 New Jersey Nets and 1946-47 Washington Capitols — have won 10 straight by at least 10 points, and the Heat will try to match the NBA record tomorrow against James’ former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Bucks 103, Mavericks 99
Brandon Jennings had 23 points and 10 assists, and visiting Milwaukee rallied from a 20-point second-quarter deficit to end Dallas’ 12-game winning streak. Dirk Nowitzki scored 30 points for the Mavericks, who hadn’t lost since Nov. 19 to Chicago.
Bulls 92, Pacers 73
Carlos Boozer had 22 points and 18 rebounds, and Derrick Rose added 17 points and 12 assists as host Chicago got its first six-game winning streak since 2006.
Jazz 108, Warriors 95
Deron Williams scored 30 points and reserve C.J. Miles had 20 points and six rebounds as host Utah sent Golden State to its seventh straight loss.
Grizzlies 86, Blazers 73
Zach Randolph had 25 points and 20 rebounds, and Rudy Gay added 16 points to lead host Memphis to its third straight win.
Heat 96, Hornets 84
NEW ORLEANS
Ariza 5-10 3-5 13, West 8-17 10-13 26, Okafor 4-5 1-1 9, Paul 3-10 5-6 11, Belinelli 2-9 4-5 9, Gray 1-1 2-2 4, Green 2-7 0-0 4, Jack 2-3 2-2 6, Pondexter 0-3 0-0 0, Smith 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 28-67 27-34 84.
MIAMI
James 6-16 8-10 20, Bosh 10-18 3-5 23, Ilgauskas 1-4 0-0 2, Arroyo 3-8 0-0 7, Wade 8-13 14-17 32, Dampier 1-2 1-2 3, Howard 0-0 0-0 0, Jones 1-3 0-0 3, Chalmers 1-5 4-4 6, Anthony 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 31-70 30-38 96.
| New Orleans | 23 | 31 | 21 | 9 | — | 84 |
| Miami | 25 | 28 | 29 | 14 | — | 96 |
3-Point Goals–New Orleans 1-13 (Belinelli 1-7, Pondexter 0-1, Ariza 0-2, Paul 0-3), Miami 4-14 (Wade 2-3, Arroyo 1-2, Jones 1-3, Chalmers 0-3, James 0-3). Fouled Out–Okafor. Rebounds–New Orleans 47 (West 12), Miami 46 (Bosh 11). Assists–New Orleans 14 (Paul 5), Miami 17 (James 7). Total Fouls–New Orleans 29, Miami 25. Technicals–Wade, Miami defensive three second. A–19,600 (19,600).
NBA Standings
EASTERN CONFERENCE
| Atlantic Division | W | L | Pct | GB |
| Boston | 19 | 4 | .826 | — |
| New York | 16 | 9 | .640 | 4 |
| Toronto | 9 | 15 | .375 | 10 1/2 |
| Philadelphia | 8 | 15 | .348 | 11 |
| New Jersey | 6 | 18 | .250 | 13 1/2 |
| Southeast Division | W | L | Pct | GB |
| Miami | 18 | 8 | .692 | — |
| Orlando | 16 | 8 | .667 | 1 |
| Atlanta | 16 | 9 | .640 | 1 1/2 |
| Charlotte | 8 | 15 | .348 | 8 1/2 |
| Washington | 6 | 16 | .273 | 10 |
| Central Division | W | L | Pct | GB |
| Chicago | 15 | 8 | .652 | — |
| Indiana | 11 | 12 | .478 | 4 |
| Milwaukee | 10 | 13 | .435 | 5 |
| Cleveland | 7 | 17 | .292 | 8 1/2 |
| Detroit | 7 | 18 | .280 | 9 |
WESTERN CONFERENCE
| Southwest Division | W | L | Pct | GB |
| San Antonio | 20 | 3 | .870 | — |
| Dallas | 19 | 5 | .792 | 1 1/2 |
| New Orleans | 14 | 10 | .583 | 6 1/2 |
| Memphis | 11 | 14 | .440 | 10 |
| Houston | 9 | 14 | .391 | 11 |
| Northwest Division | W | L | Pct | GB |
| Utah | 18 | 8 | .692 | — |
| Oklahoma City | 17 | 8 | .680 | 1/2 |
| Denver | 14 | 9 | .609 | 2 1/2 |
| Portland | 12 | 13 | .480 | 5 1/2 |
| Minnesota | 6 | 18 | .250 | 11 |
| Pacific Division | W | L | Pct | GB |
| L.A. Lakers | 17 | 7 | .708 | — |
| Phoenix | 11 | 12 | .478 | 5 1/2 |
| Golden State | 8 | 16 | .333 | 9 |
| Sacramento | 5 | 16 | .238 | 10 1/2 |
| L.A. Clippers | 5 | 20 | .200 | 12 1/2 |
Yesterday
Miami 96, New Orleans 84
Chicago 92, Indiana 73
Memphis 86, Portland 73
Milwaukee 103, Dallas 99
Utah 108, Golden State 95
Today
Toronto at Charlotte, 2 p.m.
Philadelphia at New Jersey, 2 p.m.
L.A. Lakers at Washington, 2 p.m.
Atlanta at Detroit, 2:30 p.m.
Sacramento at Houston, 3:30 p.m.
Orlando at Denver, 4 p.m.
Minnesota at Golden State, 5:30 p.m.
Tomorrow
L.A. Clippers at Philadelphia, 2 p.m.
Chicago at Toronto, 2 p.m.
L.A. Lakers at Indiana, 2 p.m.
Boston at New York, 2 p.m.
Cleveland at Miami, 2:30 p.m.
Houston at Oklahoma City, 3 p.m.
Sacramento at New Orleans, 3 p.m.
Charlotte at Memphis, 3 p.m.
Memphis at San Antonio, 3:30 p.m.
Minnesota at Phoenix, 4 p.m.
Portland at Dallas, 4:30 p.m.
