HEAT 96, RAPTORS 72: LeBron James overcame the absence of his two All-Star teammates with a 28-point performance as Miami continued its dominance over visiting Toronto.

James needed just over 30 minutes of action to put the Raptors away, shooting 12 of 15 from the field as the Heat (44-17) won their eighth straight game against Toronto. Mike Miller added 13 points in a reserve role.

Miami played without stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, who were given the night off to rest.

James Johnson scored 18 points while Alan Anderson added 15 for the Raptors (22-41), who have been blown out in back-to-back games. Toronto managed just 23 points in the second half to equal a franchise record for futility.

Up just two at the half, Miami came out swinging in the third quarter. James knocked down a 19-footer as part of an 8-0 run that put the Heat up 59-51, and another long jumper with just under four minutes left in the frame extended the lead to double digits.

Juwan Howard added back-to-back short shots to end the quarter, sending Miami into the fourth with a 74-60 lead. Mike Miller stretched the advantage in short order - scoring the Heat's first eight points of the fourth - and Toronto didn't challenge the rest of the way.

The Raptors trailed just 25-24 through one quarter thanks to 10 points from Anderson. His dunk early in the second put Toronto in front, and they stretched the lead to five before the Heat countered with a late rally capped by a Udonis Haslem driving dunk on a nifty James pass.

James followed with the play of the half, hauling in a court-length pass from Miller and knocking down a layup at the buzzer to put Miami up 51-49 at the break.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Raptors PG Jose Calderon (eye) is expected to see limited action for the remainder of the season - if he even returns at all. Calderon missed his fourth straight game Wednesday, though he was in uniform as the team's emergency option. ... Toronto shot just 1-for-16 from 3-point range, with James Johnson hitting the only shot from beyond the arc. Anderson went 0-for-8 from long range. ... Miami finished with 25 assists compared to just 12 by the Raptors.