Heat log rare road feat
Indianapolis — The Miami Heat became the first NBA team in 33 years to win three straight road games in as many days as they beat the Indiana Pacers 105-90 on Tuesday.
Miami is also the first club in 42 years to win each of the three by double digits. Phoenix was the last to win three in a row on the road in consecutive days, in 1978-79. Milwaukee was the last team to win all three by at least 10 in 1970-71.
LeBron James scored 23 points and nearly produced his first triple-double in 11 months, while Dwyane Wade had 16 points for the Heat, which limited Indiana to just 6 of 23 from the field in the first quarter and not much better until the closing minutes.
David West’s 14 points led the Pacers, who suffered a fourth straight loss. Even worse, they lost leading scorer Danny Granger with a sprained ankle in the first quarter and he did not return.
Thunder 111,
Jazz 85
Article continues after this advertisementIn Oklahoma City, James Harden scored 22 points as Oklahoma City beat Utah for the second time in five days.
Article continues after this advertisementKevin Durant added 21 for NBA-leading Oklahoma City, which had a rest in between the two games, while Utah was playing its only set of three straight games for the season, and has lost the first two.
The well-rested Thunder never trailed and led by at least 12 throughout the second half on their way to an eighth straight home win, extending the team’s longest such streak since moving from Seattle in 2008.
Russell Westbrook chipped in 16 points for Oklahoma City.
Al Jefferson led the Jazz with 15 points.
Lakers 86,
Hawks 78
In Los Angeles, Pau Gasol scored seven of his 20 points in the final 5:20 and grabbed 13 rebounds as Los Angeles beat Atlanta.
Andrew Bynum had 15 points and 15 rebounds for the Lakers, who returned from a 3-3 road trip and improved to 12-2 at home — compared to 5-10 away. Kobe Bryant, whose jumper in the final 5 seconds beat Toronto on Sunday, finished this one with only 10 points in 34 minutes on 5 for 18 shooting. OTHER RESULTS: Nuggets 109, Suns 92; Spurs 99, Pistons 95; Knicks 90, Raptors 87; Wizards 124, Trail Blazers 109; Bulls 121, Kings 115; Grizzlies 93, Rockets 83. /AP
