Heat 106, 76ers 87: LeBron James returned from a three-game hiatus with a game-high 27 points to help shorthanded Miami pull away late and beat visiting Philadelphia.
Rashard Lewis added 14 points and Norris Cole scored 13 for the Heat, who were without Dwyane Wade (ankle) and Chris Bosh (knee). Miami has won 15 straight meetings with Philadelphia and swept the four-game season series.
Jrue Holiday scored 18 points and Spencer Hawes added 11 points and 11 rebounds for the 76ers, who were eliminated from playoff contention when Milwaukee beat Toronto on Saturday.
The Sixers held their biggest lead at 13-10 before Miami finished the first quarter with a 23-5 spurt to open a 15-point advantage. The Heat went cold in the second quarter, allowing Philadelphia to pull even at 40 before easing back to a 50-46 margin at halftime.
Miami never trailed in the second half, but it had a tough time putting away the pesky Sixers. Philadelphia was within 85-82 with 8:08 left, but Ray Allen hit a pair of 3-pointers during a 7-0 burst to give the Heat a cushion and Miami cruised from there.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Heat's 60 wins are the second-most in franchise history, one shy of the record set in 1996-97. … The Sixers have scored 100 or more points only once in their past 19 games against the Heat. … Philadelphia has lost 27 of its past 33 road games.
Philadelphia | Miami | |
Jrue Holiday 18 | Scoring | LeBron James 27 |
Jrue Holiday 6 | Assists | Shane Battier 5 |
Spencer Hawes 11 | Rebounds | Chris Andersen 15 |
Nick Young 4 | Free Throws Made | Chris Andersen 3 |
Jrue Holiday 2 | Steals | Joel Anthony 1 |
Jrue Holiday 1 | Blocks | Chris Andersen 2 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Philadelphia | 87 | 40.2 | 6-20 | 15-20 | 12 | 41 | 2 | 6 | 11 |
Miami | 106 | 48.2 | 14-25 | 12-14 | 25 | 48 | 3 | 5 | 11 |