Sick James leads Heat past Lakers

MIAMI — Miami’s LeBron James shook off flu-like symptoms to score 31 points and lead the Heat to a 98-87 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, getting an early-season edge over a perceived NBA title rival.

Chris Bosh scored 15 for the Heat, which badly needed James to overcome his illness and play because the team was already without Dwayne Wade, who missed a second straight game with a sprained ankle.

James was sent home from the team’s practice earlier in the day to rest, and finished with eight rebounds and eight assists to go with 12 for 27 shooting.

Pau Gasol scored a season-high 26 for the Lakers.

MAVERICKS 94, JAZZ 91

In Salt Lake City, Shawn Marion scored a season-high 22 points, including a late layup that helped clinch Dallas’ narrow win over the NBA’s hottest team.

The Mavericks were coming off back-to-back last-possession losses to the Lakers and Clippers, but this time were on the right end of a close finish.

Utah came from 13 points down at one point to lead by three early in the fourth quarter. The game was tied 87-87 before Jason Terry hit a 3-pointer, and Marion a layup.

Al Jefferson led Utah with 22 points.

ROCKETS 90, HORNETS 88, OT

In Houston, the hosts survived one of the worst fourth quarters in team history by edging New Orleans in overtime.

Kevin Martin scored 27 of his 32 points in the first half and Samuel Dalembert grabbed a season-high 17 rebounds for the Rockets who led by as much as 14 points and looked to be cruising to a fifth straight win.

However they scored only seven points in the final quarter as the Hornets forced the game to overtime.

Jason Smith scored 17 points and Jarrett Jack and Marco Bellinelli added 15 points apiece for New Orleans, which has olst 12 of 13.