(The Sports Xchange) – Chris Bosh scored 25 points, LeBron James had a near-triple-double and the Miami Heat stifled the Philadelphia 76ers to fashion a 101-86 victory and snap a three-game slide.
James finished with 21 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds for Miami (28-11), who last lost three straight in January 2012.
The 76ers (13-26), who lost for the fifth time in six games, made just two of their 20 three-point attempts. Miami also blocked 12 shots, five by Bosh, and forced 22 turnovers.
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Clippers 109, Knicks 95
The Los Angeles Clippers matched a season-high five straight wins after knocking off the New York Knicks 109-95.
Blake Griffin led the Clippers with 32 points, Jamal Crawford came off the bench to record 29 points and DeAndre Jordan registered his 18th double-double with 11 points and 16 rebounds.
The Clippers (28-13), who lead the Pacific Division, are now 5-1 since Chris Paul separated his shoulder on Jan. 4.
The Knicks (15-24) dropped their third in a row after capturing five straight. Carmelo Anthony led five Knicks in double figures with 26 points and 20 rebounds.
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Raptors 94, Timberwolves 89
Kyle Lowry scored 24 points and added six assists and five rebounds and the Toronto Raptors defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 94-89 to extend their home winning streak to six.
It was the Raptors’ 10th win in a row over the Timberwolves at Air Canada Centre.
The Raptors (20-18) have won 17 of 18 from the Timberwolves (18-21).
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Lakers 107, Celtics 104
The depleted Los Angeles Lakers staged a rally down the stretch and defeated an old foe, spoiling point guard Rajon Rondo’s return to the Boston lineup.
The Lakers scored the game’s final 11 points and pulled out a 107-104 victory over the Celtics.
The Lakers ended a six-game overall losing streak and a seven-game road skid.
Rondo, out since tearing his right ACL on Jan. 25 last year, became Boston’s 15th captain before the game and playing four five-minute “shifts,” he scored eight points.
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Wizards 96, Bulls 93
John Wall had 23 points and 11 assists as the Washington Wizards won their third straight game and second over the Chicago Bulls this week with a 96-93 victory.
Martell Webster and Bradley Beal each had 14 points for the Wizards (19-19), who reached .500 for the third time this season.
Washington, who have yet to post a winning record at any point this season, shot 50.6 percent from the field in the seesaw affair that included 12 lead changes and 11 ties before leaving the Bulls at 18-20.
