LeBron ends hot streak, Heat beat Thunder
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma (AFP) –
Dwyane Wade (L) and LeBron James of the Miami Heat high-five during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 10, 2013. James powered the Heat to a 110-100 win over Oklahama City on Thursday.
LeBron James powered the Miami Heat to a 110-100 win over Oklahama City on Thursday, but fell just short of extending a record-breaking scoring run.
James finished with 39 points and shot 58 percent from the field in a rematch of last year’s NBA finals.
In Miami’s six previous wins, James did what no NBA player had ever achieved — scoring at least 30 points each game while shooting at least 60 percent from the field.
The reigning playoff MVP was still his usual dominant self Thursday at Chesapeake Energy Arena as he grabbed 12 rebounds and had seven assists, leading the Heat to their seventh consecutive win.
He appeared to be heading for his seventh straight 30-60 game but failed to connect on a three-point shot in the fourth quarter and had to settle for 14-of-24 shooting from the field.
Chris Bosh finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Dwyane Wade had 13 points and eight assists for the NBA champions Heat, who have won seven straight and 12 of their last 14.
James, Wade and Bosh will represent Miami in the 62nd All-Star Game Sunday in Houston.
Thursday’s contest was the first of a four-game road trip for Miami and the last game before the all-star break.
Kevin Durant had 40 points on 12-of-24 shooting, while Russell Westbrook finished with 26 points, 10 assists and five rebounds for the Thunder, who had their seven-game win streak at home snapped Thursday.
At one point, Durant fell to the floor and landed with a heavy thud. He struggled early in the game and didn’t make his first field goal until just over four minutes left in the second quarter.
It marked just the fourth loss at home for Oklahoma City to go with 23 wins.
The Thunder were eliminated by the Heat in five games during last season’s NBA finals and lost the first rematch, 103-97, on Christmas Day in Florida.
Durant and Westbrook will represent the Thunder in the all-star showdown.