Heat breezing now that James, Wade on ‘same page’

CHARLOTTE, N.C. » On a day when LeBron James and Dwyane Wade split the Eastern Conference player of the month award, the duo delivered yet another road victory and reached a new achievement.

Yes, the Miami Heat superstars can put up big numbers together.

James scored 38 points for his 10th game of 30 or more and Wade added 31 for his ninth. But last night’s 96-82 victory over the short-handed Charlotte Bobcats marked the first time they each topped 30 in the same game.

"To look at us in the Boston game earlier this year, we didn’t know what each other was thinking," Wade said. "Now we’re on the same page. Us not being able to play together is not a conversation anymore. I think we do a good job of playing off each other.

"This is what we envisioned and it’s starting to come true," he said.

It was the Heat’s 11th straight road win and their 18th win in 19 games.

Charlotte played without starting forward Gerald Wallace (ankle) and center Nazr Mohammed (knee) the same day tests revealed backup big man DeSagana Diop is lost for the season with a ruptured Achilles’ tendon.

Celtics 96, Timberwolves 93

Paul Pierce scored 23 points to help host Boston overcome a double-digit deficit — and another double-digit rebounding performance by Kevin Love (12 points and 24 rebounds) — and beat Minnesota.

Michael Beasley scored 19, including Minnesota’s last eight points, but his desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer bounced harmlessly off the backboard.

The Celtics haven’t lost to the Timberwolves since they traded Kevin Garnett to Boston in the summer of 2007.

Jazz 102, Pistons 97

Deron Williams scored 22 points, including a pair of late free throws, as host Utah beat Detroit for the 11th consecutive time.

Raja Bell hit a 3-pointer and sank two free throws to give the Jazz a 100-97 lead with 17.9 seconds left. The game featured 15 ties and 11 lead changes.

Tracy McGrady, starting in place of Rodney Stuckey, missed a 3-pointer and Al Jefferson grabbed the rebound to seal the victory.

Magic 110, Warriors 90

Hedo Turkoglu had 10 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists and Dwight Howard added 22 points and 17 rebounds as host Orlando won its sixth in a row.

"I’m glad I finally did something to help this team win," said Turkoglu, who was part of two trades involving eight players that Orlando engineered to reload its roster.

"When I have the ball in my hands, I’m able to do the things I’m good at. My strength is to be the guy who is a facilitator, get my shot or find one for my teammates."

Nuggets 113, Rockets 106

Carmelo Anthony scored 33 points and host Denver pulled ahead late in the fourth quarter to beat Houston for its fourth consecutive win.

Anthony had 11 rebounds and made 13 of 14 free throws to help the Nuggets fend off the Rockets with his eighth game of 30 or more points this season.

Hornets 84, 76ers 77

David West scored 17 points and host New Orleans held on for its third straight victory.