LeBron James was suspected to have the flu, but he decided to play, leading NBA Champions Miami Heat to beat Phoenix Suns comprehensively 97-88 Saturday night.
''Me at 50 percent or 60 percent is better than me not playing at all,'' The Associated Press quoted James as saying.
James scored 21 points and grabbed three rebounds to help the tired Heat end their six-game road trip on a winning note. He has scored 20 or more points for the 11th time in 11 games this season.
Chris Bosh, top scorer for the Heat, scored 24 points and had nine rebounds. He got 9 of 11 attempts.
A severe injury to the left foot forced Dwyane Wade to miss Saturday's game, but Bosh and James did not allow the Phoenix to take any advantage in the first two quarters. The score was tied at 52-52 at the end of the second quarter. However, the Heat took four points lead in the third quarter.
Bosh accepted that in Wade's absence he was expected to deliver.
''I know that my role has changed a bit and I have to be a lot more aggressive so it's just a matter of making shots when I'm open,'' he said.
James, who missed the morning shootaround, went to the locker room in the first quarter and informed of his sickness.
''I can't remember the last time he missed practice or a shootaround so when he missed today, obviously that makes you wonder and you know that it's pretty serious,'' Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. ''We knew yesterday that he hadn't had any food and he went the whole day and in the late afternoon he was able to down some Gatorade, but that was about it.''
Markieff Morris was the top scorer for the Suns, with 16 points and four rebounds. His performance helped Phoenix narrow the Heat's lead to two points. Shannon Brown and Michael Beasley scored 14 points each.
Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry accepted that his team had a sluggish start, adding that he will make some changes in the line-up.
''We have to make some adjustment,'' he said. ''We can't keep playing like this. We have to do something where we can make an adjustment and we'll see what can happen from here.''
The Phoenix players supported their coach and showed willingness to follow in his steps.
''I mean, he's the coach so whatever he says, he is going to run this team,'' Dragic said. ''You know, something is not clicking for us and we have to find some solution. If that is he has to change some players in the starting lineup then we have to do that.''
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