MIAMI (AP) ― LeBron James’ scoring streak is still going, as well as his uncanny run of not fouling anyone.
And the latest Miami Heat winning streak lives on as well, just in time for a Christmas showdown with Oklahoma City.
James scored 30 points, Dwyane Wade added 21 points and seven assists, and the Heat rode the strength of a big third-quarter run to beat the Utah Jazz 105-89 on Saturday night.
James added nine rebounds and seven assists for the Eastern Conference-leading Heat, who won their fourth straight game. Their next game against Oklahoma City in a rematch of last season’s NBA Finals. Shane Battier scored 15 and Ray Allen added 13 for Miami, which opened the second half on a 22-6 run to build a 69-49 lead. “We look like a Miami Heat basketball team,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
Miami Heat’s LeBron James (center) is fouled by Utah Jazz’s Randy Foye (right) and Jamaal Tinsley defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Miami on Saturday. (AP-Yonhap News)
Marvin Williams scored 16 for Utah, which got 15 from Gordon Hayward and 11 from Paul Millsap.
The Jazz played the second half without Mo Williams, who had X-rays on his thumb and was concerned after the game about the potential severity ― saying it reminded him of a serious injury in 2008. He said he expects to have an MRI exam on Sunday.
Miami was without Chris Bosh, home with what the team said was a cold. Even without their biggest starter, the Heat managed to outrebound the Jazz 39-38.
James has scored at least 20 points in all 24 Heat games this season, matching the longest run of 20-or-more efforts to start a year since Karl Malone did it for Utah in the 1989-90 campaign.
Maybe it was fitting that James tied Malone’s mark in a game against the Jazz. “Karl Malone’s a great player,” James said before the game. “Awesome player, by the way.”
It also was the 29th straight regular-season game in which James scored at least 20 points and 45th consecutive overall.
Trail Blazers 96, Suns 93
Nuggets 110, Bobcats 88
Pistons 96, Wizardss 87
Hawks 92, Bulls 75
Pacers 81, Hornets 75
Rockets 121, Grizzlies 96
Cavaliers 94, Bucks 82
Lakers 118, Warriors 115
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
