Heat 101, Cavaliers 91: Luol Deng collected 25 points, a season-high eight assists and eight rebounds as Miami spoiled LeBron James’ return by holding off Cleveland.

Dwyane Wade led the Heat out to a big lead in the first half and finished with 31 points. Chris Andersen collected 12 points and eight rebounds for Miami, which bounced back after squandering a 23-point lead in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.

James had 30 points and eight assists in his first trip back since leaving for the Cavaliers in free agency over the summer. Kyrie Irving scored 25 points and Kevin Love added 14 for Cleveland, which played most of the game with a small lineup after it was announced Wednesday that center Anderson Varejao would miss the rest of the season with a torn Achilles.

James broke away for a dunk to give the Cavaliers their first lead since early in the fourth quarter at 78-77 but was called for a technical foul for hanging on the rim and Cleveland managed one field goal over the next 7:39 as the Heat pushed ahead 90-81. Mike Miller’s 3-pointer brought the Cavaliers within 90-87 but Danny Granger scored five points in a 7-0 run to help Miami put it away.

The Heat were up 56-39 after Deng’s jumper with 3:17 left in the second quarter before settling for a 62-49 lead at the break behind 24 points from Wade. James capped a 12-4 run beginning the third quarter with a jumper to slice the deficit to five, and his free throws brought Cleveland within 75-73 before Miami took a three-point lead into the fourth.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The game was delayed briefly at the start of the third quarter when the lights failed to come back on completely after the halftime entertainment. … Wade’s 24-point first half marked his biggest scoring output in any half this season. … James was cheered during introductions and got a standing ovation following a video tribute during the first timeout. Miller and James Jones received video tributes as well.