LeBron James scored 41 points and added 13 rebounds and eight assists as the Miami Heat held off the improved Indiana Pacers 117-112 in South Beach on Tuesday night. Chris Bosh added 19, and Dwyane Wade had 17 points and seven assists.
Pacers Vs. Heat: LeBron James Scores 41, Miami Ends Indiana’s Streak
The Pacers had won four straight since Frank Vogel took over as (interim) head coach, but the Heat -- who Indiana had beaten early this season -- proved to be too much late. The Pacers led from the early second quarter all the way until past the halfway point in the fourth. But LeBron and Bosh, each with seven in the fourth, were too much as Indiana's offense struggled to bring the game home.
Indiana shot an effective field goal percentage of .625 in the first three quarters, but just .278 in the fourth. The Pacers had hit seven of 17 three-point attempts through three, but zero of five in the fourth. Roy Hibbert, Indiana's top scorer in this game, had 19 points in the first three quarters, abusing Miami's center cadre. But he scored just one point on Erick Dampier in the fourth. Danny Granger had 17 entering the fourth, 11 of which had come in the third against LeBron. But he was held to one bucket in the fourth.
Tyler Hansbrough went a perfect 6-6 in the second quarter to rack up 13 points, but in the fourth, Vogel yanked him in favor of starting power forward Josh McRoberts. Indiana's other starters (excluding Mike Dunleavy) came in at that point ... but so did LeBron. The game immediately turned in favor of the Heat.
Miami has now won seven straight. The Heat are half of a game behind the Boston Celtics for No. 1 in the East.
Also, LeBron is a terrible teammate who dunks on his co-star’s head. (Check out Wade clutching his face.)
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