Heat too much for Thunder again
Miami Heat forward LeBron James, left, keeps the ball from Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013. Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) watches at rear. Miami won 110-100. AP
OKLAHOMA CITY — Miami’s LeBron James had 39 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists as the Heat trampled the Oklahoma City Thunder 110-100 on Thursday in a clash of NBA title contenders before the All-Star break.
Chris Bosh chipped in 20 points and 12 rebounds as the Heat won their sixth straight against the Thunder dating to the sweep of last year’s NBA Finals.
In Thursday’s other game, the all-Los Angeles showdown saw the Clippers beat the Lakers 125-101.
In Oklahoma City, James was in position to continue his NBA record run of games with at least 30 points and 60 percent shooting to seven, but missed from a couple steps beyond the 3-point line as the shot clock ran down with just over a minute left.
That dropped him to 14 for 24 in the game (58 percent). James had said before the game that he didn’t care if the streak continued, as long as Miami kept winning.
Kevin Durant had 40 points and eight rebounds, but missed his first seven shots as Oklahoma City fell hopelessly behind.
The Clippers cemented their supremacy over the Lakers with a comfortable victory.
Chris Paul had 24 points and 13 assists and Blake Griffin scored 18 of his 22 points in a spectacular first quarter that set up the victory.
The Clippers have won the Staples Center co-tenants’ first three games of the season, already clinching the season series between the two.
Los Angeles’ longtime underdogs buried the 16-time NBA champions under a wave of 16 3-pointers.
Kobe Bryant had 20 points and 11 assists for the Lakers, who head to the break in 10th place in the Western Conference.
The Clippers lead Golden State by seven games atop the Pacific Division standings after their fourth straight victory.
