Bosh, James ensure Miami never trail in win over Lakers.
There were just two games on the NBA schedule on Thursday night, with the Miami Heat taking centre stage with their win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Chris Bosh made his final eight shots of the game on a 31-point night while LeBron James added 27 points and 13 rebounds as the Heat never trailed in their 109-102 win at the AA Arena.
Bosh finished the game 15-for-22 from the field, and his team-mate praised him after the game as he insisted that he always has confidence in the center of delivering when needed.
“We know what he’s capable of doing,” James said. “When he’s got his midrange working like that he’s pretty dangerous. And that rim looked mighty big for him tonight.”
Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole both added 11 points apiece, while Ray Allen added 10 as Miami made it nine wins in their last ten meetings with the Lakers.
Jodie Meeks and Pau Gasol each scored 22 points, while Nick Young had 19 points, but it wasn’t enough to avoid a 14th loss in their 17 games.
Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni conceded that the two teams are on different levels at this point, as while Miami are battling complacency in their bid to win a third championship, his team are merely just looking to put some wins together.
The Heat improved to 7-6 without Dwyane Wade this season but they’re 24-6 when he plays, and so they will be looking to have him regain full fitness come the closing stages of the regular season.
In the other game of the night, the Portland Trail Blazers had 44 points and 13 rebounds from LaMarcus Aldridge as they defeated the Denver Nuggets.
Aldridge was snubbed for a spot as an All-Star starter, but insisted that his performance wasn’t a reaction to the disappointment, but more to do with the fact that the Blazers had lost their last two games.
“It was nothing about that,” the Trail Blazers’ forward said. “We lost two games and we needed this win.”
Aldridge scored the team’s final 15 points en route to securing a third career game with 40 or more points, with coach Terry Stotts praising various aspects of his game in his post-game interview.
However, the forward finished fifth in fan voting amongst Western Conference frontcourt players, while teammate Damian Lillard finished seventh among guards.
Nevertheless, the Blazers improved to 32-11 for the season while the Nuggets slip to 20-21 after three consecutive losses have left them outside of the playoff spots.
NBA Results:
Los Angeles Lakers 102-109 Miami Heat
Denver Nuggets 105-110 Portland Trail Blazers
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