None of the previous 25 was any easier than Miami’s 26th consecutive win. LeBron James (32 PTS, 10 AST, 8 REB, 3 STL, 3 BLK) played 34 minutes — way more than expected or even necessary — and Chris Bosh (15 PTS, 6 REB, 3 BLK) was the only other regular to get involved, as Dwyane Wade was given the night off to rest a tender knee. Norris Cole (15 PTS, 6 AST, 3 REB) led the reserves, who saw plenty of action. For Charlotte, it was Kemba Walker (20 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST) and Gerald Henderson (18 PTS, 5 REB, 2 STL) as usual, combining for nearly half of the team’s points.
Other Sunday Results
ATL @ MIL: The ever-reliable Al Horford (24 PTS, 7 REB, 6 AST, 2 STL) and the talented Josh Smith (23 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK) were too much for Milwaukee in an excellent game. Devin Harris (16 PTS, 4 AST, 3 REB) hit four 3-pointers as the starting SG for Atlanta until he hobbled off with a sore foot. Brandon Jennings (12 PTS, 13 AST, 3 REB, 3 STL) bounced back from an awful game, though he still missed 11 of 15 shots, and Ersan Ilyasova (19 PTS, 10 REB) made a welcome return after missing three games with a sore back. Monta Ellis (20 PTS, 4 REB, 4 AST) was Milwaukee’s top scorer but missed a crucial 3-pointer in the late going.
SAS @ HOU: What a game. Both teams played tough defense and James Harden (29 PTS, 9 REB, 6 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK) was the hero. Chandler Parsons (20 PTS, 8 REB, 2 AST) also came up big for the Rockets and while Omer Asik scored just five points, his 14 rebounds and three blocks were very important. Tony Parker (23 PTS, 7 AST, 4 REB, 2 STL) destroyed Jeremy Lin (6 PTS, 5 AST, 4 TO) but Tim Duncan (17 PTS, 7 REB, 2 BLK) wasn’t quite as dominant as expected. Houston has some breathing room now in seventh place and is just a half-game out of sixth.
CHI @ MIN: Even without Joakim Noah (foot) and Marco Belinelli (abdomen) the Bulls dug deep for an impressive win. Jimmy Butler (20 PTS, 9 REB, 3 STL) made the most of his start at SG and Carlos Boozer (19 PTS, 12 REB, 4 AST) was a force up front. Derrick Williams (28 PTS, 5 REB, 2 STL, 2 BLK) was outstanding for the Wolves, with Nikola Pekovic (15 PTS, 8 REB) and Ricky Rubio (15 PTS, 8 AST, 5 REB) chipping in, but the second unit had no answer for an inspired Nate Robinson (22 PTS, 10 AST) who played 34 minutes off the bench and knocked down four 3-pointers.