James shines to help dismiss Mavs in OT

MIAMI (AFP) –

LeBron James of the Miami Heat fends off Vince Carter of the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Arena on January 2, 2013 in Miami, Florida. The Heat edged the struggling Mavericks 119-109 in overtime behind 32 points from James, who flirted with a triple double.

The Miami Heat edged the struggling Dallas Mavericks 119-109 in overtime behind 32 points from LeBron James who flirted with a triple double.

James finished with 12 rebounds and nine assists for Miami who won their second-straight game in overtime and extended the Mavericks woes in extra time.

Miami ended a two-game losing skid with a 112-110 overtime victory on Monday against Orlando.

Dwyane Wade finished with 27 points and 10 rebounds for the Heat, who handed Dallas their ninth-straight overtime loss dating back to the 2011-12 season.

Chris Bosh and Ray Allen had 17 and 15 points respectively as Miami started the overtime with a 7-0 run and never looked back.

The Mavericks lost their seventh game of their last eight despite 30 points from O.J. Mayo and a season-best 19 points from Dirk Nowitzki.

Nowitzki, who also had six rebounds, was playing in just his sixth game since returning from right knee surgery. The German star played a total of 29 minutes Wednesday at the American Airlines Arena.

Dallas’ Chris Kaman finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Nowitzki scored 15 of his points in the second half. He nailed a clutch two pointer from 15 feet with just four seconds left on the clock to send the game into overtime.

But Miami’s Allen began the extra session with a three-pointer and James sank a jumper off a Dallas turnover for a 108-103 Heat lead.

Dallas’ Vince Carter then tried an ill-advised inbounds pass that was picked off by Wade who went in for the dunk, giving the Heat a comfortable seven-point lead just over one minute into the overtime.