Heat Check: Miami turns it on in second half to throttle Pelicans
MIAMI -- The storyline was a familiar one: the Miami Heat trailed by double digits at home, then rallied for a decisive victory ... and LeBron James is very good.
James had 32 points, three rebounds and five assists to lead the Heat to a 107-88 victory against the New Orleans Pelicans at AmericanAirlines Arena on Tuesday night.
Dwyane Wade, playing his third game in four nights, had 22 points for the Heat (27-8), who won their third straight.
Wade, who during the weekend played back-to-back games for only the second time this season, remained active in 35 minutes. He had eight rebounds and eight assists.
Chris Bosh added 12 points, nine rebounds and three assists.
Anthony Davis scored 22 points to pace the Pelicans (15-18).
Rashard Lewis again started for Shane Battier, inactive a third straight game with a quad injury.
Norris Cole started for point guard Mario Chalmers, who didn't play in the second half of Sunday's win against Toronto due to a sore Achilles.
The Heat trailed 49-43 at the half, during which James had 13 points and Wade 10.
Eric Gordon's 3-pointer and Davis' 18-foot jumper gave New Orleans a 54-43 advantage with 10:38 left in the third. Cole then delivered a 3-pointer to start Miami's 32-16 period closing run.
Ray Allen (11 points) sank a trey with 11:12 left in the fourth to build an eight-point cushion and the Heat were on their way.
THE TURNING POINT
Trailing by 11 just 1:22 into the third quarter, the Heat outscored New Orleans 32-16 the rest of the period to build a five-point lead. James scored half of Miami's third-quarter points.
THE DIFFERENCE MAKER
King James. He shot 13 of 22, scored at least 30 points for the 10th time this season and second straight (he had 30 against the Raptors on Sunday).
STAT OF THE GAME
Chris Andersen hit all seven shots from the floor and finished with 15 points.
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WHAT'S NEXT
The Heat begin a string of six straight road games when they visit the New York Knicks on Thursday at 8 p.m.
You can follow Charlie McCarthy on Twitter @mccarthy_chas or email him at mac1763@bellsouth.net.
