Luka Doncic scored 60 points — the most ever recorded against the Heat — as the Los Angeles Lakers won their eighth straight game, defeating host Miami, 134-126, yesterday (Philippine time).
James Harden had the previous record against Miami with 58 points.
The Lakers (45-25) also got a triple-double from LeBron James, who had 19 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists. It was just the second triple-double of the season for James, leading the Heat to four straight NBA finals (2011-2014) and two NBA titles.
It is possible that this was the final game in Miami ever for James, 41 years old, who has not yet announced his future playing plans.
Doncic made 18-of-30 shots from the floor, 9-of-17 on three-pointers and 15-of-19 at the free throw line.
He also had seven rebounds, five steals and three assists.
Over the past two nights, Doncic has scored 100 points.
Bam Adebayo led Miami (38-32) with 28 points and 10 rebounds. He appeared fully healthy after having missed Miami’s previous game due to tightness in his right calf.
However, the Heat is just 1-3.
Tyler Herro added 21 points for Miami and Norman Powell tallied 20.
The Heat were without two key injured players, Jaime Jaquez, Jr. (left-hip tightness) and Andrew Wiggins (left big toe). Those two players combined to average 30.9 points.
Miami led 42-29 at the end of the first quarter during which the Heat shot 63 percent from the floor and had a 26-12 edge in paint points. Los Angeles, despite 12 points from Doncic, shot just 40.9 percent.
Los Angeles hit 12-of-20 shots from the floor in the second quarter and cut its deficit to 65-59 at halftime. Miami shot just 40.9 percent.
The Lakers took their first lead at 72-71 with 9:05 left in the third as Doncic hit his third straight three-pointer. By the end of the period, the Lakers led 97-88.
Doncic scored 19 points in the third. Miami misfired on 10-of-12 attempts from behind the arc in the quarter.
The Lakers closed out the game without much trouble in the fourth quarter, beating Miami for the third straight time. (Field Level Media / Reuters)