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Sick LeBron scores 31 to outduel Bryant
Source: Agencies |
January 21, 2012, Saturday
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LEBRON James shrugged off flu-like symptoms to deliver 31 points as the Miami Heat beat Kobe Bryant and the LA Lakers 98-87 in the clash of the NBA's two biggest names on Thursday in Miami.
The Heat, missing injured guard Dwyane Wade, were on top from the first quarter and never looked in danger after establishing a 52-37 lead at halftime.
James, whose involvement was in doubt until shortly before tip-off, ended the game with eight rebounds and eight assists after putting in 37:13 minutes, more than any of his teammates.
"There were a few times I felt exhausted and luckily there was a timeout. I felt like I knew I could help the team. If I'm going to be on the floor I have to try and give it my all and we were able to get a key win," James said.
James put up a league-leading eighth 30-point game this season, showing little sign of the illness which forced him to leave the morning shoot-around early.
"You could not even tell anything was wrong with him," teammate Chris Bosh said.
In the only other NBA game, Houston survived one of the worst fourth quarters in team history by edging New Orleans 90-88 in overtime.
Back in Miami, the game was billed as "LeBron v Kobe," and James now has a 11-5 record in head-to-head games against Bryant but he was quick to play down that particular aspect.
"It's never been between Kobe and I, even though we get all the press and the limelight. I've been in this league long enough that I don't have to prove anything to Kobe, and he doesn't have to prove anything to me."
Bryant came into the game averaging a league-leading 30.8 points, the only player more prolific than James, but was limited by the Miami defense in the first half.
Although he ended the game with 24 points, most of those came with the game well beyond Los Angeles.
The Heat, missing injured guard Dwyane Wade, were on top from the first quarter and never looked in danger after establishing a 52-37 lead at halftime.
James, whose involvement was in doubt until shortly before tip-off, ended the game with eight rebounds and eight assists after putting in 37:13 minutes, more than any of his teammates.
"There were a few times I felt exhausted and luckily there was a timeout. I felt like I knew I could help the team. If I'm going to be on the floor I have to try and give it my all and we were able to get a key win," James said.
James put up a league-leading eighth 30-point game this season, showing little sign of the illness which forced him to leave the morning shoot-around early.
"You could not even tell anything was wrong with him," teammate Chris Bosh said.
In the only other NBA game, Houston survived one of the worst fourth quarters in team history by edging New Orleans 90-88 in overtime.
Back in Miami, the game was billed as "LeBron v Kobe," and James now has a 11-5 record in head-to-head games against Bryant but he was quick to play down that particular aspect.
"It's never been between Kobe and I, even though we get all the press and the limelight. I've been in this league long enough that I don't have to prove anything to Kobe, and he doesn't have to prove anything to me."
Bryant came into the game averaging a league-leading 30.8 points, the only player more prolific than James, but was limited by the Miami defense in the first half.
Although he ended the game with 24 points, most of those came with the game well beyond Los Angeles.
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