LeBron leads Miami Heat over Utah Jazz

MIAMI (AFP) –

LeBron James of the Miami Heat shoots during a game against the Atlanta Hawks in Miami on December 10, 2012. He scored 30 points to power the reigning NBA champion Miami Heat to a 105-89 victory over the Utah Jazz on December 22.

LeBron James scored 30 points and Dwyane Wade added 21 to power the reigning NBA champion Miami Heat to a 105-89 victory over the Utah Jazz.

James, who scored 12 points in a key third-quarter surge on Saturday, also contributed nine rebounds and seven assists for the Heat, who improved to 18-6, moving ahead of the New York Knicks for the best record in the Eastern Conference.

Wade added seven rebounds and seven assists while Shane Battier scored 15 points and Ray Allen added 13 for Miami, but the spark was “King James”, who hit 11-of-20 shots from the field and 7-of-10 free throws.

Marvin Williams led Utah with 16 points while Gordon Hayward added 15 for the Jazz, who also had a game-high 11 rebounds from Al Jefferson. Utah fell to 14-14, last in the Northwest division.

The Heat lead the Southeast division by 2 1/2 games over Atlanta.