Ailing James drops in 31 points as Heat burn Lakers

Jan 20, 2012, 7:20 GMT

Los Angeles - LeBron James shook off flu-like symptoms with 31 points, eight assists and eight rebounds, as the short-handed Miami Heat dominated the visiting LA Lakers 98-87 on Thursday night.

Chris Bosh had 15 points with eight rebounds for Miami, which led by 23 en route to consecutive victories after a season-high three-game slide as All-Star guard Dwyane Wade (right ankle sprain) sat out his second straight game.

Spaniard Pau Gasol scored a season-high 26 points while Kobe Bryant made just 8-of-21 shots and finished with 24 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter after the outcome had been decided, as the Lakers lost for just the second time in the last eight outings.

Kevin Martin scored 32 points, Samuel Dalembert had 15 points with 17 rebounds and the go-ahead dunk with 11 seconds left in overtime, as the Houston Rockets escaped with their fifth straight victory, 90-88, over the visiting New Orleans Hornets.

Jason Smith scored 17, Marco Belinelli added 15, but missed the potential-game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer for the Hornets, who lost for the 12th time in 13 decisions.

Shawn Marion scored a season-high 22, including a late layup, after Jason Terry drilled the tie-breaking three-pointer with 2 minutes 26 seconds remaining, and the visiting Dallas Mavericks stopped a modest two-game slide by holding off the Utah Jazz 94-91.

Al Jefferson had 22 points, CJ, Miles added 17 for Utah, which lost for just the second time in its last 10 decisions.