MIAMI -- The Miami Heat held off a late Charlotte Bobcats charge to take Game 2 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinals, 101-97, Wednesday night at the American Airlines Arena.
LeBron James led all scorers with 32 points. The reigning MVP also had six rebounds and eight assists, and was hit hard in the neck by an elbow from Bobcat Josh McRoberts late in the fourth quarter.
After a quiet Game 1, Chris Bosh made a lot of noise in Game 2, scoring 20 points and grabbing five rebounds while Dwyane Wade added 15 and a crucial steal in the final 1.2 seconds of play that sealed Charlotte's fate.
Heat point guard Mario Chalmers was slowed down by a deep ship contusion but still managed 11 points and three assists.
The Heat now hold a 2-0 lead in this best-of-7 series. Game 3 shifts to the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte on Friday night (Saturday AM in Manila).
Big man Al Jefferson, Charlotte's main inside weapon, was hindered by a left plantar fasciitis and hobbled for 18 points and 13 boards. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was the Bobcats' top scorer with 22 while Kemba Walker, who was held to 5-for-18 shooting, settled with 16.
Trailing by as many as 16 points, the Bobcats crept to within 98-97 after a Walker 3 with still 11.9 seconds to play. But a pair of James free throws and a Wade steal ended the uprising. (HL)
Photo: Josh McRoberts sticks an elbow on LeBron James' neck in the heat of Game 2. The Heat edged the Bobcats, 101-97.
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