Heat holds off Bulls behind James

Jan 30, 2012, 4:17 GMT

Los Angeles - LeBron James had 35 points with 11 rebounds, Chris Bosh added 24 points with 12 boards and the Miami Heat held off the visiting Chicago Bulls 97-93 on Sunday, in a showdown of Eastern Conference leaders.

Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Derrick Rose poured in 34 points but twice failed to deliver in the final half minute for the Bulls (17-5), who were facing the Heat for the first time since losing last season's conference finals in five games.

Trailing by eight with two and a half minutes remaining, Rose's three-point play pulled the Bulls within 94-93 with 49.1 seconds remaining.

Rose had a chance to give the Bulls their first lead of the game, but missed two free throws with 22.7 seconds left after making all 12 tosses up to that point.

Trailing 95-93, Rose had an opportunity to square the contest but bounced a floater in the lane off the rim in the waning seconds. Bosh hit two free throws at the other end and the Heat (15-5), escaped with its fourth consecutive victory.

Kobe Bryant had 35 points with 14 assists, Spaniard Pau Gasol netted 28 points and the visiting LA Lakers regrouped after squandering an 18-point cushion, to beat the stubborn Minnesota Timberwolves for the 16th consecutive time despite Kevin Love's 33-point, 13-rebound effort, 106-101.

Jason Terry scored a season-high 34 points, including the go-ahead jumper and two free throws in the final 42 seconds of overtime, as the Dallas Mavericks held off visiting San Antonio Spurs, 101-100, after blowing an 18-point lead.

Elsewhere: the visiting Indiana Pacers pounded the slumping Orlando Magic 106-84; the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers edged the Boston Celtics 88-87; the visiting Toronto Raptors routed the New Jersey Nets 94-73; the visiting Atlanta Hawks squashed New Orleans Hornets 94-72; and the visiting LA Clippers trimmed the Denver Nuggets 109-105.