Miami, FL (Sports Network) – LeBron James finished with 34 points, including 16 from the free throw line, to help the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 111-104 victory over Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat.Wade finished with a game-high 36 points, but it was James and the Cavaliers who came away with the win, their third in a row. James, who had seven assists, scored Cleveland’s final eight points.
LeBron’s 34 Better Than Wade’s 36 In 111-104 Cav’s Victory
The Cavaliers also got a great shooting night from Mo Williams, who made 10- of-15 overall, including 5-of-7 from three-point range, to end with 25 points. J.J. Hickson contributed a career-high 18 points for Cleveland.
Michael Beasley added 24 points and six rebounds for the Heat, whose three- game win streak came to an end. Jermaine O’Neal finished with 15 points and nine boards in the setback.
Just short of the midway point in the final quarter, two James free throws made it a 101-91 contest, but the Heat scored eight of the game’s next 10 points to trim their deficit.
Wade fueled the run with six points, including a basket with just over three minutes to play to get Miami within 103-99. The Cavs missed three shots and had another blocked by Wade during the stretch.
However, James followed Wade’s basket by drilling a three with 2:41 to play, extending the lead back to seven. James made 5-of-6 free throws the rest of the way, as Miami missed most of its shots, sealing the Cleveland victory.
James’ jumper ended the back-and-forth first quarter to give Cleveland a 35-33 edge, and the teams continued to trade points in the second. Late in the half, Wade made 1-of-2 free throws before Williams drained a three-pointer with under half a minute to go. Dorell Wright answered with a basket to bring the Heat to within 62-57 at the break.
Cleveland gained a slight edge in the third, when Williams’ three made it an 80-72 game midway through the frame. The Cavs couldn’t pull away but continued to lead, and Gibson’s three capped the quarter to put Cleveland ahead 92-84 going to the fourth.
Hickson began the final quarter with a basket, and a little more than a minute later he sank 1-of-2 from the line, extending the Cavs’ advantage to double digits.
Delonte West was inactive for the Cavaliers, who got 14 points from Shaquille O’Neal…James finished 8-of-20 from the field and made 16-of-18 from the free throw line…Wade was 9-of-21 shooting and made 15-of-21 foul shots…Each team had 11 turnovers…The loss was the second of the season for Miami, which is 2-1 on its current five-game homestand. The Heat host New Jersey on Saturday…Cleveland has won six of seven overall and ended its road trip a perfect 3-0. The Cavs host Utah on Saturday.
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