Heat comes from behind to burn Spurs

Jan 18, 2012, 5:04 GMT

Los Angeles - LeBron James scored 17 of his 33 points in a third-period explosion as the Miami Heat, playing without injured Dwyane Wade, stormed back for a 120-98 home victory over the Spurs.

Chris Bosh scored 30 points Tuesday night for the Heat (9-4), who snapped a three-game slide and extended the road struggles of the Spurs (9-5). San Antonio is 9-0 at home and 0-5 on the road.

Danny Green scored 20 points and France's Tony Parker added 18 for the Spurs, who led by as many as 17 points in the first half and still held a 67-55 lead early in the third quarter before James erupted.

'King James' scored 15 points and assisted on two baskets in a 23-1 burst that gave Miami a 78-68 lead with 3:23 remaining. San Antonio was 0-of-10 with two turnovers during that stretch.

Elsewhere:

Chicago 118, Phoenix 97

Carlos Boozer scored a season-high 31 points - 26 in the first half - as the Eastern Conference-leading Bulls improved to 6-0 at home. Canada's Steve Nash had 25 points and nine assists for the Suns, who have dropped five straight.

Orlando 96, Charlotte 89

Dwight Howard had 25 points, 17 rebounds and four blocks for the host Magic, who notched their fifth-straight win. The Bobcats have lost eight of nine.

In other games, the Utah Jazz routed the visiting Los Angeles Clippers 108-79; the Denver Nuggets handed the Milwaukee Bucks their first home loss 105-95; the host Houston Rockets cruised past the Detroit Pistons 97-80; and the visiting Golden State Warriors held off the Cleveland Cavaliers 105-95.