OKLAHOMA CITY – LeBron James had 39 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, and the Miami Heat trampled the Oklahoma City Thunder 110-100 in a Thursday night showcase before the All-Star break.
Chris Bosh chipped in 20 points and 12 rebounds as the Heat won their sixth straight against the Thunder dating to last year’s NBA finals. Miami swept the season series after winning on its home court on Christmas Day, following up after taking the last four games of the finals.
James was in position to continue his NBA record run of games with at least 30 points and 60 percent shooting to seven, but missed from a couple steps beyond the 3-point line as the shot clock ran down with just over a minute left.
That dropped him to 14 of 24 in the game, or 58 percent. James said before the game that he didn’t care if the streak continued as long as Miami kept winning.
“I’m not conscious about it. I’m just playing,” James said. “I’m just going out and playing my game. I’m not conscious about the shots that I take. The shots that I take are good shots. If a guy is off of me, I shoot. If he’s on me, I drive. If one of my teammates is open, I pass the ball. It’s simple.”
Kevin Durant had 40 points and eight rebounds, but missed his first seven shots as Oklahoma City fell hopelessly behind. Russell Westbrook had 26 points and 10 assists with six turnovers.
Dwyane Wade had 13 points and eight assists for the Heat before fouling out with 3:29 to play.
Miami never trailed and widened its lead to as much as 79-56 when James put back a missed jumper by Bosh with 5:07 left in the third quarter.
NOTES
LAKERS: Jerry Buss, the owner, has been hospitalized with cancer, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The Times said Buss has spent time in the intensive care unit at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and that several current and former Lakers players, including Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson, have visited him.
ROCKETS: The team recalled forwards Terrence Jones and Greg Smith from the D-League.
The 6-foot-9 Jones was a first-round pick (18th overall) by the Rockets last summer out of Kentucky. He has averaged 18.4 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 17 games for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. He’s appeared in 11 games for Houston this season.
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