NBA: LeBron powers Heat over Wizards
Houston Rockets head coach Kevin McHale yells at a referee in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, in Houston. The Rockets won 99-93. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)
MIAMI – LeBron James scored 23 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and passed off five assists to spark the reigning NBA champion Miami Heat over the league-worst Washington Wizards 102-72 on Saturday.
The Heat improved to 15-6, moving one game ahead of Atlanta atop the Southeast division, while the Wizards suffered their 18th loss in 21 games, although one of those was a home victory over Miami last month.
Article continues after this advertisementDwyane Wade added 13 points and six assists for Miami while Udonis Haslem contributed 13 points and seven rebounds. Chris Bosh added 12 points for the Heat.
Northern Ireland golf star Rory McIlroy was among the 19,724 spectators who watched the Heat jump ahead 26-14 after one quarter and outscore the Wizards 29-10 in the third quarter for a 79-46 lead that sent Heat starters to the bench.
Bradley Beal led Washington with 19 points while Cartier Martin added 18.
