Heat Storm The Bobcats, 99-94
MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — LeBron James has spent his entire life being called the best in the game and Monday night, he almost added another feather to his cap.
James scored 31 points on 13-of-14 shooting to lead Miami past Charlotte 99-94 Monday night, giving the Heat their 10th consecutive victory against the Bobcats.
According to STATS, James' effort tied for the league's third-best shooting performance with at least that many attempts in the last 18 years. Shaquille O'Neal was 15 for 16 for the Heat against Seattle on Feb. 25, 2006, and Dwight Howard was 14 for 15 for Orlando against Philadelphia on April 14, 2007.
"I didn't plan it that way, I was just attacking when I could, got into the paint and was able to make some shots," said James, who made nine shots from 2 feet or closer.
Chris Bosh added 23 points and Dwyane Wade had 20 points and a season-high 12 rebounds for Miami, which has won nine of its last 10 at home. The Heat improved to 19-3 on their home floor.
"I got a lot of my own misses, too. I was missing a lot of chippies, but I was just trying to be aggressive," said Wade, who tied his career-high with six offensive boards. "When your shots aren't falling you have to find some way to affect the basketball game and give your team a chance to win."
Ramon Sessions scored 18 points for Charlotte, which lost its fourth in a row and 12th in the last 14. Ben Gordon had 16 points as six Bobcats players scored in double digits.
Neither team shot well from on 3-pointers as Miami was 1 for 12 and Charlotte 8 of 25.
James said he "felt a little sleepy" but "didn't feel tired" when he arrived at the arena. The Heat had returned to South Florida at around 3 a.m. Monday after watching the Super Bowl in Toronto following Sunday's win against the Raptors.
His only miss was a 4-foot jumper late in the third quarter.
"I got fouled on it, but that never stopped me before," James said.
James also finished with eight rebounds and eight assists. It was the 67th time in LeBron's career (including playoffs) that he's put up at least 31, 8 and 8, according to STATS.
"If he knows and feels he's close to a triple double, he doesn't let that affect his game," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "He's not going to be one of those guys that will throw it off the backboard and try to get a rebound."
Charlotte played without rookie small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, who suffered a concussion against Houston on Saturday night. Kidd-Gilchrist will need to pass the NBA's post-concussion protocol before he'll be cleared to play.
