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LeBron James dunks - Source: Reuters -
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The Cleveland Cavaliers took their winning streak into double
figures with a 102-86 victory over a slumping Miami Heat on Friday,
LeBron James sparking the 10th straight triumph with a 36-point
haul.
Daniel Gibson also made a telling contribution in the second half
after visiting his pregnant fiancee in hospital. He started the
third quarter and finished with 12 points.
Cleveland (40-11) held a 56-52 lead at halftime before the NBA
leaders pulled clear with a 10-0 run that spanned the end of the
third quarter and start of the fourth.
Miami's Dwyane Wade scored 18 points in the first half but could
only add six more in the second, losing a third straight duel
against James, who also tallied eight assists and seven
rebounds.
"We did not make any adjustments (on Wade), we just tried to be
aware of where he is at all times and we did double him
occasionally," Cavaliers coach Mike Brown told reporters. "We just
tried to keep the lane crowded and stay in front of
him."
The defeat was a fourth in a row for Miami (24-26), who have now
dropped six of their last seven contests.
The Heat remained in contention in the first half as Wade and
James waged a duel. James had 19 in the first two quarters that
were reminiscent of their previous match-up on Jan. 25 when each
tallied 32 in a one-point Cleveland win.
This time James had his way, making 9-of-16 shots from the field
and 17-of-21 free throws.
With guards Mo Williams and Delonte West both sidelined through
injury, James has had to take on the added role of ball-handler for
Cleveland.
Relishing the responsibility, he has averaged 11.6 assists per
game in his last five games for the NBA-best Cavaliers.
"The disadvantage is I can't run down the court and get ahead of
the ball," James added.
"It's a sacrifice I have to make with our point guards being out.
I have no choice but to handle the ball at certain points of the
game - I'll do whatever it takes for our team to win."
