James, Wade power Heat past Lakers; Clippers crush Knicks

Where LeBron goes, the Miami Heat go, too.

The reigning MVP poured on 32 points in record-setting fashion as the Heat ran away late against the Los Angeles Lakers in a battle of two powerhouse squads at the American Airlines Arena, Sunday, February 10.

James made 12 of his 18 shots to become the first Miami cager to score 30 or more points in 5 straight games while joining Adrian Dantley and Moses Malone as the only NBA players to score more than 30 and shoot 60% in 5 straight matches.

Dwyane Wade joined the fun, too, making 12 of 18 attempts to finish with 30 points and three steals for the Heat, which also won its fifth straight game and eighth in nine outings against the Lakers.

Kobe Bryant had 28 points, six rebounds and nine assists for Los Angeles, but the Lakers could not keep up with Miami in a frantic windup that saw the visitors cough up the ball eight times in the fourth quarter.

In New York, Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Clippers held red-hot Carmelo Anthony to just two points in the final period to zoom to a 102-88 triumph in the penultimate match of an eight-game road trip.

Paul scored 25 points, hauled down six rebounds and dished out seven assists for the Clippers, who had to survive 42 points from Anthony to win for just the fourth time in 12 outings.