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James leads Heat into Oklahoma City to face Durant, Thunder

Jan 30, 2011 - 3:42 PM (Sports Network) - Two of the NBA's biggest stars meet in America's heartland Sunday when Kevin Durant and his Oklahoma City Thunder entertain LeBron James and the star-studded Miami Heat.

The Thunder avoided an embarrassing loss in their last encounter on Friday when Durant, the NBA's leading scorer at 28.8 points per game, scored 40 points, including 10 in the second overtime, as Oklahoma City survived in a 124-117 victory to keep Washington winless on the road this season.

Russell Westbrook tallied a triple-double with 35 points, 13 assists and 13 rebounds for the Thunder, who have won back-to-back overtime games including a narrow 118-117 victory at Minnesota on Wednesday. Jeff Green added 13 points and 12 rebounds for the victors.

"The crowd was great tonight. It gave us a lift when we needed it and we got some stops in the end," said Thunder head coach Scott Brooks.

Miami, meanwhile, also clawed out a win in its last game on Friday despite missing stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

Sharp-shooter Eddie House drained the go-ahead free throws with 6.5 seconds left in regulation in that one as the short-handed Heat snuck by the Pistons, 88-87.

"It felt like when I was 10 years old and I used to imagine the same situation," recalled House. "You've been doing it forever ... No pressure; you just go up there and knock them down."

Detroit coach John Kuester called timeout after House's free throws and drew up a perfect alley-oop off the inbounds pass for the very lengthy Austin Daye, but the second-year pro couldn't get it to fall as he was challenged by James Jones at the rim.

"It was a good designed play, I just missed it," Daye admitted. "It was a rough ending to a good game."

With Wade (wrist) and Bosh (ankle) hobbled, James, who is second in the NBA in scoring at 26.1 PPG, picked up the slack with 39 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, leading Miami to just its second win in seven games.

An MRI exam on Wade Saturday showed no structural damage, and Bosh's ankle continues to improve so both players make the trip to Oklahoma and could be back in the lineup this afternoon.

Oklahoma City swept the home-and-home season series with the Heat last year and has been dominant at home recently, winning a season-high six straight as the host as well as 12 of 14 overall. The franchise hasn't won seven consecutive on its home hardwood since a nine-game run back in 2004-05 when the team was known as the Seattle SuperSonics.

Miami. meanwhile, has lost four straight road games after winning its previous 13 away from South Beach.