LOS ANGELES — The Miami Heat barely avoided an upset on Christmas Day and beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 101-95, Wednesday afternoon at the Staples Center.
Short-handed and playing without Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash, the Lakers kept the game close and knotted matters at 83-83 with 8:25 left in the fourth quarter. But the Heat responded with a 9-0 run to regain control the rest of the way.
Despite two highlight reel dunks, LeBron James only had 19 points along with eight rebounds and four assists. But Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh covered the reigning MVP’s back with 23 points apiece. Ray Allen chipped in 12 courtesy of four 3-pointers.
Nick Young scored the most for host Los Angeles with 20 while Jodie Meeks had 17. Pau Gasol finished with 13 and 13 boards for the Lakers, who made only 33 of 79 field goals.
“They have guys who are highly capable, so we knew they would give us everything,” Wade said of the Lakers who fought tooth and nail despite being undermanned.
The Heat improved to 22-6 for the season, second best in the Eastern Conference behind the 23-6 Indiana Pacers. The Lakers dropped to 13-16, 12th place in the Western Conference.
Photo: Chris “Birdman” Andersen slams home 2 in the Miami Heat’s win over the L.A. Lakers on Christmas afternoon.
