NBA: LeBron James marks 29th birthday with 26 points in Miami win
LeBron James marked his 29th birthday by scoring 26 points in Miami Heat's 97-94 defeat of Denver Nuggets.
Last Updated: 31/12/13 9:01am
The four-time NBA Most Valuable Player helped Miami improve to 24-7 while the Nuggets lost their seventh game in a row, the team's longest losing run since April 2003.
James missed the Heat's win at Portland on Saturday with left ankle and right groin issues and was a game-time decision against Denver, but responded with a solid performance.
"Great road win," James said. "We came in with a mindset that we wanted to end 2013 on the right note and we did.
"They made a run and we were able to withstand that and get a great road win."
Dwyane Wade scored 12 points for the Heat but departed in the third quarter with back spasms and did not return while Chris Bosh added 17 points for Miami.
Ty Lawson, who top scored for Denver with 26 points, sank a three-pointer to put the Nuggets ahead 91-90 close to the buzzer but James answered with a jumper to put the Heat on top for good.
Ray Allen, who came off the Heat bench to score 13 points, followed with a basket before Wilson Chandler's dunk pulled the Nuggets within 93-92.
Miami's Michael Beasley answered with a three-pointer with 30 seconds remaining to give the Heat a 96-92 edge, before Randy Foye's layup for Denver, but Allen added a free throw to put Miami ahead by the final margin.
"Heck of a shot by Beas down the stretch," James said. "Everybody made a contribution. We believe everyone can make a big contribution. We trust everyone. He made a great shot and we got a big win."
