Final
Heat continue domination of Magic
Jan 5, 2014 - 4:18 AMVideo
Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade scored 20 points apiece for Miami, which has taken the first three of four meetings with the Magic this season. Bosh shot 9-of-9 from the field as the Heat won their 22nd straight game against the Southeast Division.
"CB is our rock," praised Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra. "He's doing it on both ends. He's a true two-way player. He's dynamic, he's unique."
Rashard Lewis made his second start of the season for an injured Shane Battier and donated 18 points. James had a season-low 15 points on 5-of-13 shooting, but chipped in eight rebounds and eight assists.
"Tonight was one of those games where I didn't have to put too much pressure on scoring," said James. "I just tried to get my guys involved, tried to get some rebounds."
Jameer Nelson led five Magic players in double figures with 21 points on 5- of-8 from the arc. Tobias Harris went for 17 points and 10 rebounds, Arron Afflalo and Victor Oladipo each scored 16 points and Glen Davis had 14 with nine boards.
"There is a very short margin for error, especially playing against them," said Oladipo. "They make you pay every time you make a mistake."
The season series concludes in Miami on March 1.
James had just two field goals for six points at halftime, and Miami limped into the break with a 48-46 advantage. The Heat turned it over nine times in the opening 24 minutes.
Miami finally found its groove midway through the third quarter. Davis' layup at 6:23 made it 59-58 in favor of the Magic, but the Heat asserted themselves with the next 15 points. Lewis had a four-point play during the surge which Mario Chalmers capped with a reverse layup.
Maurice Harkless gave the home crowd something to cheer about late in the period. His baseline drive past James and slam dunk, along with an alley-oop from Nelson, had the deficit down to single digits before Michael Beasley restored Miami's 11-point lead heading into the fourth with a pair of free throws.
Orlando never got closer than nine the rest of the way.
Game Notes
Miami has won eight in a row against the Magic ... Orlando has lost three straight tilts ... Battier (sore quad) is considered questionable to play Sunday against Toronto ... Orlando outscored Miami 27-8 in transition.
Jan 4 9:22 PM- MIAMI: 81
ORLANDO: 70
End of 3rd
Jan 4 8:50 PM - MIAMI: 48
ORLANDO: 46
Halftime
Jan 4 8:06 PM - MIAMI: 30
ORLANDO: 24
End of 1st
Jan 4 7:33 PM - MIAMI: 2
ORLANDO: 0
1st Quarter - 11:48
Jan 4 7:12 PM
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