ORLANDO, Fla. — The Miami Heat got another glimpse at how difficult it is every night when you’re the defending NBA champion. The Heat needed clutch performances from each of their stars to slip past the injury-depleted Orlando Magic.
LeBron James scored eight of his 36 points in overtime and also finished with 11 assists and eight rebounds to help Miami beat the Magic 112-110 on Monday.
The Heat, beaten easily by Detroit and Milwaukee before arriving in Orlando, got a decisive dunk from Dwayne Wade with 6.2 seconds left in the extra period to avoid what could have been their first three-game losing streak this season.
“The biggest thing was that we didn’t want to lose," Wade said. “We dug in against a team that played very well. They had some guys on the court that half the NBA never heard of, but those guys did an unbelievable job. They pushed us to the limit."
Miami also needed a pair of baskets from Chris Bosh in the final minute of regulation just to get them to overtime.
Also on Monday:
Bobcats 91
Bulls 81
CHICAGO — Kemba Walker had 18 points and eight rebounds to help Charlotte end an 18-game losing streak with a win over Chicago.
Thunder 114
Suns 96
OKLAHOMA CITY — Kevin Durant scored 30 points, and Russell Westbrook returned from a cut above his eye with 24 points, nine assists and seven rebounds as Oklahoma City beat Phoenix.
Spurs 104
Nets 73
SAN ANTONIO — Tony Parker had 20 points and San Antonio held Brooklyn to only five points in the third quarter in a win over the Nets.
Pacers 88
Grizzlies 83
INDIANAPOLIS — Paul George had 21 points, six rebounds and five assists to lead Indiana to a win over Memphis.
Rockets 123
Hawks 104
HOUSTON — James Harden had 28 points and Houston rebounded from its worst loss of the season with a win over Atlanta.
