Five Stars: Heat 101, Lakers 88

First Star

Chris Bosh (MIA) 22.3

Bosh led all players with 32:41 on the court, posting a double-double in his second First Star performance of the season. He scored 30 points on nine-of-16 shooting, making two-of-five from deep and 10-of-12 from the free throw line, with 11 boards and a plus-9 rating.

I think we did a fantastic job coming out in the third quarter. We kind of sparred with them and in the fourth we blew it open. - Bosh

Second Star

Hassan Whiteside (MIA) 21.6

Whiteside continued to dominate the boards at both ends of the floor, collecting as many offensive rebounds (seven) as Los Angeles' team leader on the defensive boards. He added eight defensive rebounds, earning a double-double with 19 points on eight-of-12 shooting. He also went three-for-six from the line with three blocked shots, posting a plus-22 rating in 27:07. Incredibly, the three blocked shots brought his season average down. He currently leads the NBA with 3.9 per game.

Third Star

Luol Deng (MIA) 18.4

Deng had his best game of the season, scoring 14 points with four boards, four helpers, and three steals. He shot five-of-nine in 29:37, draining three-of-six from beyond the arc and making his only free throw attempt and finishing his night at plus-13.

Fourth Star

Nick Young (LAL) 13.7

Swaggy P came off the bench for the Lakers for a total of 25:31, earning a higher plus-minus rating (plus-4) than any of the Lakers' starting players. He scored a team-high 17 points by hitting six-of-13 shots overall, including five out of nine from outside. He added two rebounds, two assists, a steal and a blocked shot in Los Angeles' loss.

Fifth Star

Metta World Peace (LAL) 12.7

The artist formerly known as Ron Artest was perfect from three point distance, hitting all four of his attempts from outside and one-of-three from inside the arc. He added two blocks, a steal, and an assist to his 14 points in 22:29, finishing with a minus-17 rating.

Five Stars Standings

For more on the Lakers, why not make Silver Screen and Roll your destination of choice? Next up for the Heat will be the Utah Jazz, here in the triple-A on Thursday night. SLC Dunk has more on them. In the meantime, keep on checking out Hot Hot Hoops.