It was almost a Magical upset, but LeBron James (26 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST) drove to the hoop for the winning layup and Miami has won 16 straight. Dwyane Wade 24 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST, 4 STL) and Chris Bosh (17 PTS, 10 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK) also played well against their inspired visitors from up the Turnpike. Nikola Vucevic was brilliant (25 PTS, 21 REB, 4 AST) and Jameer Nelson (16 PTS, 14 AST, 3 STL) is healthy again. Tobias Harris (16 PTS, 7 REB) continues to shine off the bench, as nominal starter Andrew Nicholson (8 PTS) typically gets a quick hook.
Other Wednesday Results
LAL @ NOH: You would never know that Kobe Bryant had played the night before, or that his elbow hurt. Mamba struck for 42 PTS, 12 AST, 7 REB and was at his lethal best in crunch time. The Hornets blew yet another huge lead, getting outscored 20-zip in the final six minutes. Eric Gordon (18 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST) led seven Hornets in double figures and Greivis Vasquez (15 PTS, 12 AST, 5 REB) was solid as usual, until the late collapse. Dwight Howard (20 PTS, 15 REB, 3 STL, 4 BLK) was a beast at both ends of the floor for the Lakers, and Jodie Meeks (19 PTS) hit five 3-pointers.
BRK @ CHA: As expected, the Nets won easily. Deron Williams (20 PTS, 8 AST, 4 REB) led a third-quarter statement and Joe Johnson (22 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST) hit five 3-pointers while Brook Lopez (16 PTS, 5 REB, 3 BLK) took advantage of Charlotte’s bigs. Cut Kris Humphries after that DNP-CD if you’re the last person who still owns him. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (17 PTS, 5 REB, 2 STL) was the lone bright spot for the Bobcats; Ben Gordon (16 PTS in 26:23) saw more action than he has for weeks.
UTA @ CLE: Though he missed 13 shots, Kyrie Irving (20 PTS, 10 AST, 7 REB, 2 STL) rallied his team to a come-from-behind victory. Wayne Ellington (16 PTS, 6 REB) was solid in another start for Dion Waiters (flu) and Tristan Thompson (16 PTS, 12 REB, 3 BLK) came up big. For the Jazz, Paul Millsap (16 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST) was mildly disappointing, Gordon Hayward (25 PTS, 7 AST, 3 STL) was their top scorer and Enes Kanter (17 PTS, 7 REB) made the most of 21 minutes. Even though Mo Williams (8 PTS, 6 AST, 3 REB) returned after missing more than two months with a thumb injury, Alec Burks (14 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST) maintains some fantasy value as his backup.
BOS @ IND: Not the greatest game for fantasy freaks, as both teams played a physical, defensive style and neither shot well. Kevin Garnett (18 PTS, 10 REB, 2 BLK) led the visitors all night, and Jason Terry (10 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST) was a big part of the fourth-quarter rally. The Pacers shot 36%, so nobody had a particularly memorable line, but Paul George (16 PTS, 7 REB) and David West (11 PTS, 16 REB, 4 AST) battled hard. Roy Hibbert had a double-double (12 PTS, 12 REB) with six blocks. The comeback of Danny Granger (knee) did not go well; he’s out for at least a week before trying again.