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James, Bosh lead Heat past Bobcats

Nov 20, 2010 - 4:21 AM Miami, FL (Sports Network) - LeBron James poured in 32 points and the Miami Heat beat Charlotte, 95-87, despite blowing a 21-point lead.

Chris Bosh ended with 22 points and 14 rebounds for Miami, which also received 11 points from Dwyane Wade. He was just 4-of-13 from the field, but the Heat captured their third straight victory.

"The most important thing about tonight was we found a way to win a grind out game that was ugly at times," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "Certainly there are some things we could do better offensively, particularly there in the fourth quarter. These games are good for us."

Stephen Jackson led the way with 30 points for the Bobcats, who were coming off a three-point home win over Minnesota.

"We were much more solid (in the second half)," Bobcats coach Larry Brown said. "We had 11 turnovers in the first half, four in the second. We executed better, but we didn't finish."

James' finger roll layup gave the Heat a 56-35 cushion with 65 seconds left in the opening half. Shaun Livingston then hit a turnaround jumper to cap the quarter for a 19-point halftime margin.

The Bobcats shot 11-of-16 from the field in the third quarter to get back in the game. Jackson's three-ball capped 10 in a row for the visitors and got Charlotte within 58-51. The Bobcats were within the same margin, 75-68, going to the fourth.

Jackson's long-distance make with 4:56 left ended a nine-point run and allowed for a shocking 82-80 Bobcats edge. However, Bosh made a jumper on Miami's next trip down the floor.

After Tyrus Thomas converted 1-of-2 at the charity stripe, James moved his team in front for good by canning a short jumper with 3 1/2 minutes to go.

Jackson had a chance to tie the game with 1 1/2 minutes left, but his three- pointer was off the mark. Bosh proceeded to make two more free throws for a 90-85 lead with 1:07 left.

It all fell apart for the Bobcats, as Gerald Wallace was called for an offensive foul and ejected upon being given a second technical. James hit the subsequent free throw with 1:04 left for a six-point cushion.

Game Notes

Nazr Mohammed had 12 points and Livingston 10 for Charlotte...The Heat have won five of the last six at home against the Bobcats...Zydrunas Ilgauskas had eight points and nine rebounds for Miami.