Phoenix had won four in a row coming into the contest to sit atop the Western Conference standings but found the Lakers in top form.Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 29 points and center Andrew Bynum returned to the lineup with 26 and 15 rebounds for the Lakers (7-1), who won their sixth in a row. Phoenix (8-2) reserve Jared Dudley had 14 points and Steve Nash had 13 as the Suns struggled to find the mark, shooting 36 percent from the field.
In Miami, LeBron James scored 34 points as he led the Cleveland Cavaliers to 111-104 victory over the Miami Heat, despite Dwyane Wade’s 36-point effort for the hosts. Miami had won six of seven to start the season and while Wade was able to win the points duel between him and James, Cleveland’s extra class showed through.
Speculation surrounds the futures of both Wade and James, who are both able to opt out of their contracts next year and the prospect of the duo teaming up in Miami next year was described as “improbable but not impossible” by Wade prior to the game. “I enjoy playing LeBron probably more than anyone else in the league,” Wade said of his good friend. “Over the course of our careers we are going to continue to have those battles.”
Wade followed up on two recent 40-point performances against Washington with another prolific display; including a devastating first quarter dunk that left Cleveland’s Brazilian center Anderson Varejao sitting on the floor.
