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James leads Heat over Pistons

Jan 26, 2012 - 8:19 AM Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - LeBron James scored 32 points, including the final six from the foul line to help the Miami Heat earn a tough 101-98 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

James added seven assists and six rebounds, while Chris Bosh netted 27 points for Miami, which was coming off a 4-1 homestand and improved to 8-1 without the injured Dwyane Wade this season.

Austin Daye had a team-high 28 points for Detroit, but was whistled for a traveling violation while attempting a potential game-tying three-pointer in the final seconds.

Greg Monroe posted 20 points and 10 rebounds in the loss, though he also missed a critical basket late in regulation.

"We definitely gave a great effort tonight, everybody's intensity was really high, everybody was focused and we were all playing together," said Monroe. "It was a tough loss."

The Heat led 80-74 heading to the fourth and were on top, 90-80, following a Mike Miller tip-in with 7:19 remaining.

Miami then missed its next two shots and turned the ball over on four straight possessions, allowing the Pistons to score 12 consecutive points to take its first lead since 9-8 on Brandon Knight's leaner from the right elbow.

Bosh scored inside to end Miami's drought with three minutes left, then converted a three-point play the conventional way to re-take the lead.

Monroe countered with a three-point play of his own, and grabbed Shane Battier's missed three-pointer at the other end.

The seesaw battle continued with Jonas Jerebko making a straightaway three with 1:33 remaining, but that was Detroit's final basket.

James made his way to the line on the next two Heat touches, and put them in front, 99-98, with his fourth free throw coming with 60 seconds to play.

After exchanging unsuccessful possessions, Bosh forced Monroe into a runner from the baseline that was off the mark. James grabbed the rebound and was fouled with 9.4 seconds left, making both for a three-point lead.

Mario Chalmers, who finished with 16 points, came up big on the defensive side, hounding Daye at the top of the key and forcing him to shuffle his feet for a game-sealing turnover.

"It was a gutty finish," said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. "It doesn't matter. I said that last night that it doesn't matter how you get there. One way or another whether you're playing well or not playing well or the games going your way or the games going up and down. It's very competitive and at the moment of truth in the last two or three minutes we were able to get a couple consecutive shots and be able to get some triggers."

Bosh scored 13 points in the first quarter, pacing the Heat to a 24-17 lead.

Miami led by as many as 11 in the second quarter, but the Pistons got 13 points from Daye in the frame to stay close. Daye drained a jumper just before the buzzer to cut the deficit to 56-50.

Detroit was as close as one, 61-60, four minutes into the third quarter, but Miami scored eight of the next 10 points to keep the hosts at bay.

Game Notes

Damien Wilkins, starting in place of Tayshaun Prince (personal), scored nine points for the Pistons, who were also without guards Ben Gordon (shoulder) and Will Bynum (foot)...The Heat snapped a three-game road losing streak...Knight scored 17 points, while Rodney Stuckey totaled 15 for Detroit, which has dropped 10 of the last 11 games in this series, including six straight at home.