James scores 31, Bosh adds 23 as Heat beat Bobcats

LeBron James dunks against the Charlotte Bobcats. Reuters

LeBron James enjoyed a career-best shooting night to help the Miami Heat keep up their dominance at home.

James scored 31 points on 13-of-14 shooting to lead Miami past Charlotte 99-94 on Monday night, giving the Heat their 10th consecutive victory against the Bobcats.

According to STATS, James' effort tied for the league's third-best shooting performance with at least that many attempts in the past 18 years. Shaquille O'Neal was 15 for 16 for the Heat against Seattle on Feb 25, 2006, and Dwight Howard was 14 for 15 for Orlando against Philadelphia on April 14, 2007.

"I didn't plan it that way, I was just attacking when I could, got into the paint and was able to make some shots," said James, who made nine shots from two feet or closer.

Chris Bosh added 23 points and Dwyane Wade had 20 points and a season-high 12 rebounds for Miami, which has won nine of its past 10 at home. The Heat improved to 19-3 on their home floor.

"I got a lot of my own misses, too. I was missing a lot of chippies, but I was just trying to be aggressive," said Wade, who tied his career-high with six offensive boards. "When your shots aren't falling you have to find some way to affect the basketball game and give your team a chance to win."

Ramon Sessions scored 18 points for Charlotte, which lost its fourth in a row and 12th in the past 14. Ben Gordon had 16 points as six Bobcats players scored in double digits.

Neither team shot well on 3-pointers, as Miami was 1 for 12 and Charlotte 8 of 25.

James said he "felt a little sleepy" but "didn't feel tired" when he arrived at the arena. The Heat had returned to South Florida at about 3 am on Monday after watching the Super Bowl in Toronto following Sunday's win against the Raptors.

His only miss was a 4-foot jumper late in the third quarter.

"I got fouled on it, but that never stopped me before," James said.

He also finished with eight rebounds and eight assists. It was the 67th time in James' career (including playoffs) that he's put up at least 31, 8 and 8, according to STATS.

"If he knows and feels he's close to a triple double, he doesn't let that affect his game," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "He's not going to be one of those guys that will throw it off the backboard and try to get a rebound."