LeBron James. AFP FILE PHOTO
MINNEAPOLIS–LeBron James celebrated his 27th birthday Friday by scoring 34 points to lead Miami to another narrow NBA victory, 103-101 over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
James added 10 assists, eight rebounds and four steals. He delivered the pass for Dwyane Wade’s game-winning alley-oop layup with 4.6 seconds to play — the second time in two games that Wade nabbed the game-winner in the waning seconds.
Despite nursing a sore left foot, Wade finished with 19 points as the Heat improved to 4-0 in the lockout-shortened season that started on Sunday.
“It’s kind of sore from the other night,” said Wade, who bruised his foot in Wednesday’s 96-95 win over Charlotte.
“I did a lot of treatment, but there’s still a little bit (of discomfort) there.”
Minnesota’s Wayne Ellington missed a jump shot attempt as time expired as the Timberwolves fell to 0-3.
However, the Wolves had reason to be encouraged with yet another double-double for Kevin Love — who scored 25 points with 12 rebounds — and a strong showing from Spanish rookie Ricky Rubio, who came off the bench to score 12 points with 12 assists.
Minnesota erased an early 13-point deficit and led 53-51 at halftime.
They led by five points early in the fourth period, but ultimately couldn’t hold off the star-studded Heat.
“They gave us everything we could handle,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
James said before the contest that he always enjoyed playing on his birthday.
A two-time NBA Most Valuable Player who has endured playoff heartbreak and been vilified for the manner of his move from Cleveland to Miami prior to last season, was asked if he perhaps felt 27 going on 47.
“Man, I’ve been around,” said James, who is in his ninth NBA season. “I’m a vet now, a seasoned vet … I’m very humbled I’m able to be here. I’m very blessed.”