:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/6469359/20120413_mje_bm1_114.jpg)
After losing back to back games, the Miami Heat bounced back on Friday night with an easy victory over the struggling Charlotte Bobcats.
Playing without Dwyane Wade, who sat out for rest, the Heat rallied led by 19 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists from LeBron James and 18 points from Chris Bosh.
Udonis Haslem missed his second straight game with a stomach virus, Ronny Turiaf was unable to play due to a hamstring injury and Mike Miller also sat out for rest.
Erik Spoelstra was forced to tinker his lineup once again and started James Jones in place of Wade and reinserted Joel Anthony as the starting center. Anthony finished with 10 points, 5 rebounds and 4 blocks.
Lebron James played limited minutes in the victory and along with Dwayne Wade, will likely rest or play sparingly in particular games going forward. These were Lebron's comments after yesterday's loss:
"I'm banged up right now. I'm tired right now" - James said.
It was just what the doctor ordered for the Heat, who had lost 3 of their last 4 games and accumulated a pedestrian 13-10 record since the all star break.
Big man Dexter Pittman got ample playing time in the easy victory and showed promise off the bench, finishing with a career high 16 points.
The Heat will look to build a winning streak on Sunday, when they visit Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden.
Game Notes
- Miami had 4 players in double digit scoring
- The Heat won in bench points 44-28
- The Heat shot 52%
- Miami won the battle on the boards 42-36
- Rookie Terrel Harris had 8 points 6 rebounds and 4 assists