Lakers make a run, Miami Heat gets the win, 109-102

Miami Heat 109 - Lakers 102 (end of regulation)

The Lakers made a game of it but the Miami Heat held off a Lakers’ run, completing a two-game season sweep, 109-102.

Chris Bosh had his jumper working all night, scoring 31 points on 15-of-22 shooting. LeBron James scored 27 points with 13 rebounds and six assists as Miami improved to 31-12 on the season.

The Lakers got 22 apiece from Pau Gasol and Jodie Meeks, along with 19 off the bench from Nick Young.

Gasol also had a double-double with 13 rebounds. Kendall Marshall dished 11 assists as the Lakers shot 45.5% from the field.

Miami scored at will most of the night, hitting 57.7% from the field and 40% from three-point range. They helped give the Lakers life by missing 12 free throws in 23 attempts (47.8%). The Lakers hit 13 of 21 from the line (61.9%).

The Lakers, playing again without Kobe Bryant (knee), Steve Nash (back), Steve Blake (elbow), Jordan Farmar (hamstring) and Xavier Henry (knee), never led in Miami.

Dwyane Wade sat out for the Heat, also with knee issues.

The Lakers fall to 16-27. The team will travel to Orlando to play the Magic on Friday.

Miami next hosts the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.

Heat 85 - Lakers 75 (end of third quarter)

After falling behind by 16, the Lakers climbed to within 10 by the end of the third quarter against the Heat.

Chris Bosh led all scorers with 21 while LeBron James notched a double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds. James also dished five assists but also five turnovers.

Jodie Meeks led the Lakers with 16 points. Pau Gasol notched a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Kendall Marshall dished 10 assists and Nick Young came alive, with six points in the third (nine overall).

Miami shot 54.7% from the field with 13 turnovers. The Lakers hit 43.9% with 11 giveaways.

Mario Chalmers still hasn’t missed a shot, scoring 11 points on five attempts.

Heat 57 - Lakers 46 (halftime)

Miami extended a comfortable lead in the second quarter, pulling ahead by as many as 14.

Chris Bosh led all scorers with 13 points. LeBron James scored 11 as the Heat shot 56.8% from the field.

The Lakers got 12 points from Pau Gasol and nine from Jodie Meeks, but shot just 39.0% from the field. Nick Young scored three points on 1-5 shooting.

Mario Chalmers hit all four of his shot attempts to chip in nine for the Heat.

Heat 30 - Lakers 27 (end of first quarter)

The Lakers seemed initially out-classed through most of the first quarter in Miami, yet when the buzzer sounded, the Lakers were down by just three points to the Heat.

Miami shot 56.5% from the field (13-23), led by nine from Chris Bosh.

Offensively, the Lakers hit just 40.9% of their shots (9-22), led by Pau Gasol with six. The Lakers converted all seven of their free throw attempts while the Heat hit just two of four.

Miami also had four turnovers to just two for the Lakers, letting their nine-point lead dissipate in the final minutes of the quarter.

Pregame

The Lakers (16-26) visit the Miami Heat (30-12) on Thursday night.

After winning two consecutive games on the road, the Lakers lost a close one in overtime to the Chicago Bulls on Monday.

Miami beat the Lakers in their first meeting of the season on Christmas Day at Staples Center.

The Lakers are still without Kobe Bryant (knee), Steve Nash (back), Steve Blake (elbow), Jordan Farmar (hamstring) and Xavier Henry (knee).

Dwyane Wade is not expected to play for Miami because of knee issues. Ray Allen will likely start in his place.

For a more in-depth breakdown, check out Preview: Lakers vs. Miami Heat.

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Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.