Cavaliers feel the Heat as Miami rallies

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-03-13 15:22

NEW YORK, March 12 (Reuters) - Dwyane Wade had 35 points, nine rebounds and seven assists as the Miami Heat rallied to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 98-92 on Sunday in Florida, overshadowing another brilliant individual effort from LeBron James.

James poured in a game-high 47 points, including 20 in the fourth quarter, and pulled down seven rebounds but the Cavaliers were unable to hold the lead down the stretch suffering their second straight defeat after winning four in a row.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 21 points and six boards for Cleveland but was the only other Cavalier to hit double figures.

Shaquille O'Neal contributed 18 points to Miami's cause while Alonzo Mourning came off the bench to add 16 points and eight boards as the red-hot Heat registered their 11th win in 12 games.

Trailing 72-65 entering the final quarter, the Heat surged in front behind a 10-2 run capped by a Gary Payton three-pointer to take their first lead of the game.

After James answered with a three-pointer to put the Cavaliers momentarily back in front, the Heat went on another 9-0 run keyed by six points from Mourning to take control 84-77.

Cleveland would get back to within 92-90 but would not get closer, Antoine Walker nailing a three-pointer to restore the Heat's five-point cushion.

CHIPPED IN

In Los Angeles, Rashard Lewis nailed a game-high 26 points and Kobe Bryant was held to just 22 as the SuperSonics stopped the Lakers 120-113.

Chris Wilcox added 21 points and seven rebounds to the Seattle total while Ray Allen added 19 points, 10 rebounds and five assists and kept a tight guard on Bryant, the NBA's leading scorer, helping the SuperSonics to their third win in four games.

Bryant, who is averaging 35 points per game, failed to score in the opening quarter and finished the game a miserable 8-of-29 from the floor.

Lamar Odom had 21 points and Chris Mihm 20 points and 13 boards in the loss for the Lakers.