LeBron James scored 35 points and the Miami Heat finally found a way to defeat Milwaukee, using a third-quarter surge to beat the host Bucks 114-96 on Monday night.
Dwyane Wade scored 22 and Mario Chalmers added 13 for the Heat, who were 0-2 against the Bucks coming into Monday night's game.
James scored 16 of his points in the third quarter as the Heat outscored the Bucks 35-24 to take control of the game.
Carlos Delfino scored 24 for the Bucks.
With the win, Miami ran its record to 22-7 — equaling the franchise's best start after the first 29 games of a season, set in 1996-97 and again in 2004-05.
Magic 102, Timberwolves 89 • Jason Richardson scored 17 points, and Jameer Nelson and Hedo Turkoglu each added 14 as host Orlando used a big second half to defeat Minnesota.
Richardson was strong early but sat out the fourth quarter.
The Magic didn't need him, though, hitting 12 of 30 3-pointers for the game and with all five starters reaching double figures.
Kevin Love led Minnesota with 19 points and 15 rebounds, and Nikola Pekovic added 16 points and 13 rebounds.
76ers 98, Bobcats 89 • Lou Williams scored 23 points off the bench as visiting Philadelphia built an early lead and held on to send Charlotte to its 15th consecutive defeat.
Thaddeus Young added 20 points on six-of-nine shooting, and Jrue Holiday chipped in with 19 points for the 76ers.
Williams was averaging 19 points over the previous four games. He stayed hot Monday night, making several big shots, including a 3-pointer with 6:11 remaining after the Bobcats had pulled within 71-69.
Corey Maggette scored a season-high 22 points for Charlotte.
Hornets 86, Jazz 80 • Chris Kaman scored a season-high 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, and host New Orleans snapped an eight-game skid with a victory over Utah.
Al Jefferson had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Jazz, who were playing the second of back-to-back games after winning in Memphis on Sunday night.
Notebook
Rose still day to day for Bulls • The Chicago Bulls said Derrick Rose, the reigning league MVP who is averaging 22 points and 7.8 assists, remains day to day because of lower back spasms.
The point guard has missed seven games because of problems with his back and left big toe.
Irving makes progress • Cleveland Cavaliers rookie point guard Kyrie Irving (18 points, 5.1 assists), who has missed two games while he recovers from a concussion, did some noncontact work in practice and might be able to return as early as Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers, the team said.
Ben Wallace on verge of record • Detroit Pistons center Ben Wallace will break the record for the most games played by an undrafted player since the 1976-77 NBA-ABA merger if he plays his 1,055th game tonight against the San Antonio Spurs. He is currently tied with Avery Johnson.
Wallace, 37, a 16-year NBA veteran, has confirmed this season will be his last.
Nets' Bogans has ankle surgery • New Jersey Nets guard Keith Bogans, who fractured his left ankle and tore his deltoid ligament during a Feb. 8 game at Detroit, has undergone surgery and is expected to be fully recovered for training camp next season, the team said.
