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Wade, James lead Heat over Nets

Nov 7, 2010 - 3:34 AM Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Dwyane Wade finished with 29 points and 10 rebounds, while LeBron James added 23 points, as the Miami Heat used a strong third quarter to take a 101-89 win over the New Jersey Nets.

James scored 14 of his points in the third quarter, during which the Heat outscored New Jersey by a 32-17 margin.

James also ended with nine assists, while Chris Bosh poured in 21 points for Miami, which rebounded from Friday's loss in New Orleans.

Anthony Morrow had 25 points to pace the Nets, who have dropped six in a row to the Heat, including a 101-78 decision in Newark last Sunday. Brook Lopez contributed 12 points in the setback, New Jersey's fourth in a row overall.

Morrow's floater a little more than two minutes into the third quarter made it a 55-55 game, but the Heat started to pull away with a seven-point burst. James finished the run by taking a cross-lane pass from Wade, splitting two defenders as he jumped, and banking in an under-handed layup. He was fouled on the play and sank the free throw.

"When we start the break after a defensive rebound, it helps us a lot," James said. "When we play defense like we did tonight, it allows us to get out into the open court."

Devin Harris' layup with 6:39 left in the frame had New Jersey within four points, but the Heat answered with another run. Bosh, James and Wade all scored during the eight-point rally, which put Miami ahead 72-60 with 4:22 to play.

A few minutes later, Wade had a clear path for a dunk but instead left an alley-oop floating in the empty lane. James barreled in and slammed it home to send the crowd into a frenzy.

Miami continued to pull away, ending the quarter on a 15-4 run. James scored the final seven Heat points, including a free throw with 32.5 seconds left after being on the receiving end of a flagrant foul.

New Jersey's Terrence Williams delivered a body-check as James drove to the hoop, sending James flying into the crowd. Williams received a flagrant 1 foul and remained in the game.

James drilled a three to end the quarter and give Miami an 87-68 lead, and the Heat cruised in the final quarter.

"We made shots in the first half," Harris said. "Those same shots did not fall for us in the second half. We gave up a bunch of transition buckets. They made a run at the right time and we were not able to recover."

Morrow and Wade each scored 11 points in the opening quarter, after which the Nets had a 25-24 edge. Wade poured in another 12 in the second quarter to help Miami take a 55-51 lead into the break.

Game Notes

Saturday marked the first time Wade, James and Bosh each scored at least 20 points in the same game...Miami sank 23-of-29 free throws, while New Jersey made 11-of-17 from the line...Derrick Favors had 11 points off the bench for the Nets. Williams finished with seven points, seven rebounds and nine assists...Miami opened a six-game homestand, which continues Tuesday against Utah...New Jersey ended a two-game Florida road swing, and opens a home-and-home with Cleveland on Tuesday in New Jersey.