NEW YORK: The Brooklyn Nets needed double overtime and a heavy dose of resiliency to hold off the Miami Heat for a 104-95 win.
The victory extended the Nets’ season-best winning streak to five games after they almost threw away a 14-point lead in the third quarter.
The Nets used a 11-0 run in the second overtime session to put the Heat away. Forward Paul Pierce made a three-pointer on his way to 23 points after missing possible winning shots in regulation and the first overtime.
Heat guard Norris Cole’s jumper tied the score with 3.3 seconds left in the first overtime after the Heat were scoreless in the first four minutes of the first extra session and Miami forward LeBron James fouled out on a charge.
James led the Heat with 36 points.
In Detroit, the Detroit Pistons rallied from an early 16-point deficit to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers 114-104.
The Pistons improved to 15-22 with the win, snapping a maddening six-game losing streak.
Seven players reached double figures, led by forward Josh Smith with 22 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists.
It was the third consecutive loss for the 76ers, dropping them to 12-24.
Also yesterday, forward David West scored 20 points and guard Lance Stephenson added his eighth double-double and the Indiana Pacers took control in the third quarter on the way to a 93-66 rout of the Washington Wizards (16-18).
Point guard C J Watson had 16 points on six-of-six shooting, center Roy Hibbert scored 12 and forward Paul George added 14 rebounds for the Pacers, who have won nine of their last 11 to seize the NBA’s best record at 29-7.
REUTERS
