The Heat's Historic Run

SI Staff | Mar 28, 2013

The Heat's Historic Run /

The Heat's Historic Run

Heat 100, Raptors 85

Two days after losing at Indiana, Miami launched its historic winning streak by beating Toronto behind 30 points from LeBron James and 28 from former Raptors forward Chris Bosh.

Heat, 99, Bobcats 94

LeBron James made 13-of-14 from the field and scored 31 points in the best shooting performance of his career. The lowly Bobcats actually led 72-69 with 8:30 left, but Miami countered with a 14-2 run and held on after Charlotte pulled within two points with 1:38 to play.

Heat 114, Rockets 108

Miami found itself in another dogfight late in the game as Houston trimmed a 12-point fourth-quarer deficit to three on multiple occasions in the closing minutes. But Mario Chalmers, Udons Haslem and Dwyane Wade all came up with key defensive plays in the final minute as the Heat overcame James Harden's 36 points.

Heat 111, Clippers 89

LeBron James made 9-of-11 from the field to continue his torrid shooting and Miami dominated a Clippers team that had just welcomed back Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Chauncey Billups and was in the midst of a seven-game road trip.

Heat 107, Lakers 97

LeBron James' franchise-record fifth consecutive 30-point game (he scored 32 on 12-for-18 shooting) lifted the Heat past the Lakers, who got 28 points and nine assists from Kobe Bryant and played Miami tough but couldn't overcome eight fourth-quarter turnovers.

Heat 117, Trail Blazers 104

The Heat completed a 5-0 homestand and extended their winning streak to six games behind (who else?) LeBron James, who set an NBA record with his sixth consecutive game of at least 30 points and 60 percent shooting. James finished with 30 points on 11-of-15 from the field. Miami needed every bit of James' production: The Heat trailed by as many as 14 in the second quarter and also blew a 14-point third-quarter lead, closing the game on an 18-5 run after it was tied at 99-99 with five minutes remaining

Heat 110, Thunder 100

In perhaps the most impressive victory during their winning streak, the Heat led by as many as 23 in sweeping the two-game season series with their 2012 NBA Finals rival. LeBron James' record streak of at least 30 points and 60 percent shooting ended at six games as he finished with 39 points on 14-of-24 shooting (58 percent) to go with 12 rebounds and seven assists. Kevin Durant scored 40 for Oklahoma City but missed his first seven shots as Oklahoma City built a big hole on its way to a rare home loss.

Heat 103, Hawks 90

Miami had to come from behind again, this time with a lot of help from reserves Ray Allen and Shane Battier. The two combined for 24 points in the fourth quarter, a 12-minute stretch in which the Heat outscored the Hawks 40-17 to erase a 10-point deficit. Overall, Battier scored 17 points on 5-of-8 shooting from three-point range and Allen added 15 points to complement LeBron James' 24 points and 11 assists.

Heat 86, Bulls 67

Miami scored its fewest points in a victory all season but still managed to roll past a Bulls team that was in the midst of a 3-6 stretch. Chicago committed 27 turnovers and wasn't able to cool off LeBron James, who made 11-of-15 shots and scored 26 points.

Heat 114, 76ers 90

Miami pushed its streak to 10 as Dwyane Wade scored 33 points and LeBron James recorded a triple-double of 16 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds.

Heat 109, Cavaliers 105

After squandering a 22-point second-half lead, the Heat had to rally from an eight-point deficit in the final five-plus minutes to finally dispatch one of the worst teams in the league. Miami made 12-of-19 three-pointers, with four apiece for Mario Chalmers and Shane Battier, who would shoot 53.2 percent from three-point range in 12 games in February.

Heat 141, Kings 129 (2 OT)

In yet another struggle at home against a vastly inferior team, the Heat outscored the Kings 17-5 in the second overtime to escape with their 12 victory in a row. LeBron James had 40 points and a career-high 16 assists and Dwyane Wade scored 39 points. Kings guard Marcus Thornton erupted for 36 points, the most by a non-starter in the NBA this season. James' performance capped a month in which the three-time MVP shot 64.1 percent from the field and 43.2 percent from three-point range.

Heat 98, Grizzlies 91

LeBron James finally came back to earth, hitting 4-of-14 from the field in his worst shooting game of the season. But one of those four baskets was a big three-pointer in the closing seconds that helped hold off the Grizzlies, who entered with an eight-game winning streak. Shane Battier quietly continued his hot shooting, connecting on 4-of-5 three-pointers.

Heat 97, Timberwolves 81

Though overshadowed by LeBron James' incredible play, Dwyane Wade has been excellent during Miami's streak. This night was a good example, as Wade closed with 32 points on 15-of-23 shooting, 10 assists and seven rebounds to help the Heat set a franchise record with their 15th consecutive victory.

Heat 97, Magic 96

In keeping with their habit of letting lottery-bound teams hang around in Miami, the Heat needed a go-ahead layup from LeBron James with 3.2 seconds left to slip past Orlando. That spoiled a fine effort from the shorthanded Magic, who rallied from a 20-point third-quarter deficit, got 25 points and 21 rebounds from Nikola Vucevic and held Miami to 43.2 percent shooting.

Heat 102, 76ers 93

Miami shot 53.2 percent and spread the wealth among LeBron James (25 points), Dwyane Wade (22), Chris Bosh (16), Ray Allen (12) and Shane Battier (11).

Heat 105, Pacers 91

Indiana was the last team to beat Miami, on Feb. 1, but the Pacers were no match this time. The Heat shot 55.9 percent against one of the league's stingiest defenses, and Mario Chalmers (26 points), Chris Bosh (24) and Dwyane Wade (23) helped offset a season-low 13 points from LeBron James.

Heat 98, Hawks 81

No lead squandered or furious comeback needed this time: Miami led wire-to-wire against the slumping Hawks, relying on 23 points, six assists and five steals from Dwyane Wade on a night when LeBron James made only 3-of-11 shots and scored 15 points in 30 minutes.

Heat 98, 76ers 94

The Heat beat the 76ers for the third time during the streak, which grew to 20 games here, making Miami the fourth team to win that many in a row. It wasn't as easy though, as the Sixers had a chance to take the lead in the final minute. Dwyane Wade (21 points) had the biggest basket, tipping in a miss by LeBron James (27 points) to give the Heat a three-point lead with 29 seconds left.

Heat 107, Bucks 94

Chris Bosh matched LeBron James with 28 points and the Heat held Milwaukee to 37.1 percent shooting.

Heat 108, Raptors 91

The Heat bumped the streak to 22, matching the 2007-08 Rockets for the second longest in NBA history. The game was tied at 77-77 one minute into the fourth quarter, but Ray Allen scored 16 of his 20 points the rest of the way (including four three-pointers) to spark Miami.

Heat 105, Celtics 103

Miami overcame Jeff Green's 43-point performance and a 17-point deficit (its largest during the streak at the time) for victory No. 23 in a row, dropping the 2007-08 Rockets to the third-longest streak in NBA history. LeBron James had 37 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds. He also made the go-ahead jumper with 10.5 seconds left and had a memorable dunk over Jason Terry.

Heat 98, Cavaliers 95

Two nights after wiping out a 17-point deficit at Boston, the Heat dug out of a 27-point hole on a wild night in Cleveland. A fan came onto the court to urge LeBron James to re-sign in Cleveland in 2014, a leaking scorecard caused a delay and the Heat somehow fell way behind a Cavs team playing without Kyrie Irving, Anderson Varejao and Dion Waiters. But Miami closed on a 58-28 run in the final 19 minutes, and James picked up another triple-double with 25 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Entering the game, teams trailing by at least 27 points in the second half in the last 15 seasons were 5 and 2,013, according to ESPN.

Heat 103, Pistons 89

After falling behind by as many as 11 points in the first half, LeBron James and the Heat methodically squeezed the Pistons in the second half, limiting Rodney Stuckey and his teammates to 35 points total in the third and fourth quarters combined. A 103-89 victory sent Detroit to its 10th-straight loss and placed Miami eight wins away from tying the 33-game mark of the 1971-72 Lakers.

Heat 109, Bobcats 77

LeBron James and Shane Battier team up to keep Charlotte's Jeffrey Taylor from the hoop in a game the Heat won without Dwyane Wade, who sat out with a sore knee. With 10 blocks and a defensive effort that limited the Bobcats to 33.7 percent shooting, Miami didn't need Wade to edge closer toward history.

Heat 108, Magic 94

Ray Allen and Mario Chalmers hit a combined eight three-pointers to pace the Heat to a 15-of-28 performance from behind the arc against the Magic in Orlando. Despite playing its second straight game without Dwyane Wade, who sat out with a sore knee, Miami had little trouble defeating Orlando, especially with LeBron James' 24 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds.

Bulls 101, Heat 97

LeBron James and the Heat saw their 27-game win streak come to an end in Chicago, as the Bulls used an aggressive style of defense to help make up for the absence of four key regulars to win 101-97. With the loss, Miami fell six games short of tying the all-time 33-game run of 1971-72 Lakers.

Published Mar 28, 2013

SI STAFF