Bryant explodes for 62 points in win over Mavericks
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-12-21 15:30

Gerald Fitch and Gary Payton each contributed 15 points to the Miami cause while Dwyane Wade helped out with 14.

Marvin Williams had a career high 26 points for the Hawks.

With O'Neal firing on all cylinders, the Heat stormed to a 21-9 first quarter lead and were in command 56-35 at the intermission.

The Heat continued to pour it on in the second half, leading by as many as 38 points in the third quarter before giving their reserves some playing time.

In Cleveland, LeBron James had a game-high 25 points, Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 18 and Damon Jones 12 to key a third quarter uprising as the Cavaliers dumped the Utah Jazz 110-85 to register their third straight win.

CARTER SHINES

In East Rutherford, Vince Carter scored 35 points, dished out nine assists and grabbed seven rebounds sparking the New Jersey Nets to a 99-85 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Elton Brand paced the Clippers with 21 points and 13 rebounds for his 16th double-double of the season.

In Auburn Hills, Richard Hamilton hit for 23 points, Tayshaun Prince added 21 and Chauncey Billups chipped in with 19 points and 10 assists as the Detroit Pistons stopped the Portland Trail Blazers 93-89 to become the first team this season to win 20 games.

Zach Randolph had a career high 37 points in the loss for the Trail Blazers while Juan Dixon and Ruben Patterson each scored 14.

In Chicago, Raymond Felton scored 21 points and Brevin Knight had 20 sparking Charlotte Bobcats to 105-92 win over the Bulls.

In Phoenix, Shawn Marion scored 29 points and Eddie House helped out 20 as the Suns silenced the SuperSonics 111-83.

Mavericks Coach Avery Johnson ejected

LOS ANGELES - Dallas Mavericks coach Avery Johnson was ejected from Tuesday night's game against the Los Angeles Lakers after being hit with two technical fouls early in the third quarter.

Steve Javie called technicals on Johnson and Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki with 10:16 left in the period after Nowitzki was inadvertanly struck in the face by Kobe Bryant but was called for a foul.

Johnson picked up his second technical 2 1/2 minutes later, leaving with the Mavericks trailing 68-50. Bryant had 41 points at that stage — five shy of his season high.