Heat Handle Lakers

     After a comeback victory the previous night at home against the Boston Celtics, the Miami Heat won their second straight game as they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 109-102 on Thursday night at American Airlines Arena. Dwyane Wade of the Heat and Kobe Bryant of the Lakers did not dress for this game. The Heat have won eight of their last nine games against the Lakers.
     Miami(31-12), who wore their black road jerseys from the first 13 seasons of the franchise, got out to a 22-13 margin and were ahead 30-27 after one quarter. The Heat went on a 13-3 spurt to began the second to get up by double digits 43-30. Los Angeles(16-27) was behind 57-46 at halftime.
     The Heat, who had their third wire-to-wire victory this season, had a comfortable ten-point lead throughout most of the third quarter and led 85-75 at the end of the period. The Lakers cut the deficit down to four points 103-99 with under three minutes, but they never came any closer.
     LeBron James led the Heat with a double-double of 27 points and 13 rebounds along with six assists in 37 minutes of play. Chris Bosh added 31 points and six rebounds. Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole had 11 points while Ray Allen put up 10.
     Pau Gasol put up a double-double for the Lakers with 22 points and 11 rebounds in 38 minutes. Jodie Meeks contributed 22 points and Nick Young knocked in 19 points.