Miami Heat’s LeBron James (6) is fouled by Utah Jazz’s Randy Foye, right, and Jamaal Tinsley, left, defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Miami, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012. The Heat won 105-89. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)
LeBron James scored 30 points and Dwyane Wade added 21 to power the reigning NBA champion Miami Heat to a 105-89 victory over the Utah Jazz on Saturday.
James, who scored 12 points in a key third-quarter surge, also contributed nine rebounds and seven assists for the Heat, who improved to 18-6, moving ahead of the New York Knicks for the best record in the Eastern Conference.
Wade added seven rebounds and seven assists while Shane Battier scored 15 points and Ray Allen added 13 for Miami, but the spark was “King James”, who hit 11-of-20 shots from the field and 7-of-10 free throws.
Marvin Williams led Utah with 16 points while Gordon Hayward added 15 for the Jazz, who also had a game-high 11 rebounds from Al Jefferson. Utah fell to 14-14, last in the Northwest division.
The Heat lead the Southeast division by 2 1/2 games over Atlanta.