The reigning MVP LeBron James scored 27 points as the Miami Heat beat the Charlotte Bobcats 105-92 to hand them their 16th consecutive loss.
James also had 12 rebounds, eight assists and four steals, while Dwyane Wade finished with 29 points and nine rebounds. Mario Chalmers scored 17 points and Chris Bosh added 14.
Professional wrestling is a sport that LeBron James loved in his childhood. So it was a special moment for him when recently retired wrestler Ric Flair walked into the arena.
"When I was a kid, I loved wrestling," the Associated Press quoted James as saying. "He was one of the guys I loved, too.
"I think he's one of the creators of what we call swag these days with the Rolexes and the stretch limos and all the girls and all that stuff. He's one of the creators of swag."
The Heat had a good start behind James, who had two dunks, and with the help of Chalmers' 3-pointer they outscored the Bobcats 27-18 to take a nine-point lead in the game. They scored 28 points against Charlotte's 20 in the second quarter, giving the defending NBA champions a 17-point lead at halftime.
"I thought we came in with the right mindset and disposition," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "We were a little more inconsistent in the second half, but we found a way.
"That Charlotte team continues to claw and scratch and plays hard regardless of the tough road they've had. They just keep on coming at you."
The Bobcats bounced back in the game in the second period, with Gerald Henderson's 3-pointer giving the underdogs a surprise 84-82 with 7:16 remaining in the final quarter.
But the Heat found their rhythm yet again and went on a 11-3 run behind James and Wade to regain their lead.
"That is what we're going to face on the road," Wade said. "The home team is not going to go away. We understand that.
"We have been through that over the last three years here so we're comfortable and confident in those situations. It's about making the right plays on both ends of the floor."
For the Bobcats, Kemba Walker was the top scorer with 27 points. Ramon Sessions scored 19 points and Hakim Warrick finished with 18 points and nine rebounds.
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