MIAMI – Heat coach Erik Spoelstra summed up the efforts of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in three words: “Video game numbers,” he said.
Both put up monster stat lines.
And the Miami Heat needed them.
James scored 40 points and added a career-high 16 assists, Wade had 39 points, and the Heat pushed their winning streak to 12 games by outlasting the Sacramento Kings 141-129 in double overtime on Tuesday night.
“Some great stat lines tonight,” James said. “But I’m happy I was able to do what I did and help our team win.”
Great stat lines might be calling it an understatement. Consider:
James put up the NBA’s first night of at least 40 points and 16 assists since April 1994. The man who did it then? None other than Phoenix guard Kevin Johnson, now, ironically enough, the mayor of Sacramento. And for February, James finished 139-for-217 from the floor, that 64.1 percent clip the best of his career for any month.
“It was a great atmosphere,” said Kings guard Marcus Thornton, who made 11 of 18 shots, including 8 of 12 from 3-point range. “To be able to take that team to two overtimes just shows the testament of us growing. A team like that — championship team — they play great together. Obviously I hate losing but it was a great effort by us.”
Ray Allen added 21, Chris Bosh finished with 15 and Chris Andersen had 10 for the Heat, who remained six games clear of second-place Indiana in the Eastern Conference standings.
Miami’s 12-game winning streak is the longest in the NBA and matches the second-longest in franchise history.
Clippers 106, Bobcats 84
In Los Angeles, Blake Griffin scored 24 points, keying a decisive second-quarter burst that put the Clippers in command, and Los Angeles beat Charlotte to improve to 23-6 at home.
Gerald Henderson tied his season high with 24 points and Kemba Walker had 15 points for the Bobcats, who have lost four straight and 12 of 14. The NBA’s worst team fell to 7-23 on the road.
Pacers 108, Warriors 97
In Indianapolis, David West had 28 points and seven rebounds, and the Pacers overcame the ejection of Roy Hibbert following a fourth-quarter scuffle to beat Golden State.
Nets 101, Hornets 97
In New Orleans, Deron Williams scored 33 points, Brook Lopez added 20 while playing against twin brother, Robin, and Brooklyn snapped a two-game skid.
Cavaliers 101, Bulls 98
In Chicago, Dion Waiters scored 25 points to help make up for the absence of Kyrie Irving, and Cleveland snapped an 11-game losing streak against the Bulls.
Bucks 95, Mavericks 90
In Dallas, Monta Ellis scored 22 points, and Milwaukee spoiled Dirk Nowitzki’s first game in nearly 10 years with at least 20 points and 20 rebounds.
Magic 98, 76ers 84
In Philadelphia, Arron Afflalo and Tobias Harris scored 16 points apiece, and Orlando snapped a 10-game road losing streak.
Suns 84, Timberwolves 83 (OT)
In Phoenix, Marcin Gortat hit big shots at the end of regulation and overtime, helping the Suns end a three-game losing streak.
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