The Miami Heat defeated the Denver Nuggets 103-98 Saturday night at AmericanAirlines Arena. Forward LeBron James led all scorers with 33 points while guard Dwyane Wade added 32 points. The Big Three, including forward Chris Bosh, combined for 73 of the Heat's points.
The Heat have now won two straight since Wednesday's disappointing loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and kept them within reach of second place in the Eastern Conference standing. They still trail the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls. The Nuggets, who have lost two straight, were led by J.R. Smith's 27 points. He and Danilo Gallinari, both reserves, were Denver's top scorers. Gallinari finished with 23 points.
In the other games, the Celtics won in New Orleans as Ray Allen and Glen Davis scored 20 each; 8 players scored 8 or more in San Antonio’s victory over the Bobcats; Wesley Matthews helped Portland beat the Sixers with 28 and the Clippers had the better of the Cleveland Cavaliers as Gordon and Griffin combined for 59 points.