MIAMI (AP) ― Chris Bosh scored 17 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter, LeBron James added 18 and the Miami Heat survived another shaky offensive night to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 92-85 on Tuesday night.
Bosh made 10 of 16 shots and reached the 30-point mark for the fourth time this season for Miami, which improved to 4-1 against Cleveland since James joined the Heat. The 35 points matched Bosh’s high since joining Miami.
Kyrie Irving ― Cleveland’s No. 1 overall draft pick last year and a friend of James, who the Cavaliers drafted No. 1 in 2003 ― scored 17 points on 7-for-11 shooting. Samardo Samuels made his first seven shots and finished with 15 points for the Cavs, who got an 11-point, 11-rebound night from Anderson Varejao and 10 points from Ramon Sessions.
Former Cleveland State star Norris Cole scored 10 for Miami, and Udonis Haslem grabbed 10 rebounds for the Heat. Miami committed 18 turnovers, leading to 22 Cleveland points, but found a way ― thanks to Bosh ― down the stretch.
Bosh made his sixth 3-pointer of the year with 4:26 left, giving the Heat some long-awaited breathing room at 75-67, which actually represented Miami’s biggest lead to that point. And after Irving hit a pair of free throws to get Cleveland within three, Bosh went to work again.
 |
New York Knicks forward Amare Stoudemire (left) and Charlotte Bobcats forward Tyrus Thomas battle for a rebound in the first half. (AP-Yonhap News) |
He took a pass from James, drove the left side of the lane, got fouled and fell to the court as his shot fell to set up a three-point play. A minute later, Bosh faked Antawn Jamison into the air and making an 18-footer for an 84-76 edge ― then pointing to his wife as he happily jogged toward the Heat bench.
Cleveland got within three points twice in the final moments after scores by Irving, but no closer. Miami improved to 7-1 this season without Dwyane Wade, who missed his fifth straight game with a sprained right ankle. His status remains day-to-day.
It was the fifth meeting between the Heat and Cavaliers since James made his decision to switch jerseys in July 2010. James’ first return to Cleveland was one of the signature moments of last season, and the other three matchups between the clubs were accompanied by an extraordinary amount of interest and excitement.
Knicks snap skid
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (AP) ― Tyson Chandler had 20 points and 17 rebounds as the New York Knicks snapped a six-game losing streak with a 111-78 rout of the Charlotte Bobcats on Tuesday night.
Chandler, a former Bobcats player, shot 9 for 10 from the field as the Knicks won despite a career-low scoring output from star Carmelo Anthony.
Amar’e Stoudemire chipped in with 18 points and eight rebounds while Landry Fields added 18 points and four assists for the Knicks, who won for the first time since Jan. 11.
The Knicks dominated inside the paint, outrebounding the Bobcats 53-33 while handing them their fifth straight loss.
Anthony missed all seven shots from the field and finished with one point. Only once in his previous 42 games with the Knicks had Anthony failed to finish in double digits. That came on March 18, 2011, when he finished with six points. His previous career low was two points when he was with the Denver Nuggets.
Magic 102, Pacers 83
Raptors 99, Suns 96
Blazers 97, Grizzlies 84
