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LeBron James was feeling ill earlier in the day, but seemed fine en route to a 31-point performance in a 98-87 win over the Lakers on Thursday night.
The Miami Heat are hosting the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night and to mark the special occasion, they went all-black everything. Thursday night's matchup will be the only trip the Lakers make to South Beach this regular season, and in an apparent effort to show something different, Miami broke out a fresh set of uniforms.
Gone is the red that's typically a staple of the Heat's regular uniforms, replaced by white piping and somewhat of a ghost look around the Miami on the front of the jersey. It's pretty much a sporting tuxedo, in other words.
The Miami Heat, already missing the ailing Dwyane Wade, may be without two-time MVP LeBron James on Thursday against the visiting L.A. Lakers. James left shootaround Thursday morning due to flu-like symptoms, according to reports out of Miami. James is a game-time decision.
The Heat have played and won without LeBron and Wade already this season, defeating the Atlanta Hawks in triple overtime two weeks ago as the dual superstars nursed injuries. But the Lakers, who bring a hot Kobe Bryant and an imposing frontcourt tandem in Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, pose a tougher challenge.
The Lakers, of course, also have LeBron's longtime coach in Cleveland, Mike Brown. If James plays, it'll be the first time since both coach and star left Cleveland in 2010 that he's faced Brown in a game.
TNT will show Lakers vs. Heat beginning just after 8 p.m. ET. In the second game of its doubleheader, TNT will broadcast the Dallas Mavericks facing the surprising Utah Jazz.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat are both coming off a win and some time to rest coming into their game on Thursday night, and as is always the case when the two players meet, this will be billed as a showdown between Kobe and LeBron above all else.
Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are the NBA's two leading scorers coming into this game, leading Kevin Durant and the rest of the field by a solid margin. Bryant has played the entirety of this season with a torn ligament in his wrist, but it doesn't seen to be affecting his ability to shoot the ball in the slightest.
While those two players will hog the spotlight, there are question marks about a couple of other Heat players. Dwyane Wade has missed time with a sprained right ankle and a decision has not yet been made on whether or not he can play on Thursday night. Meanwhile, Eddy Curry could make his Heat debut.
Game Day/Time: Thursday, 8:00 p.m. ET
TV: TNT
For more on the two teams, check out Los Angeles Lakers blog Silver Screen and Roll and Miami Heat blog Peninsula is Mighter, as well as SB Nation LA.
Heat Vs. Lakers Final Score: LeBron James Lead's Back In Black Squad To 98-87 Win
Dwyane Wade remained sidelined with a variety of ailments, including a badly swollen ankle, but the Miami Heat were able to cruise to a 98-87 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. The matchup was the first and only time the Lakers will travel to South Beach in the regular season this year, and Miami marked the occasion with Back in Black jerseys -- all black with a touch of white.
LeBron James left the Heat's shootaround earlier in the day after experiencing flu-like symptoms, but seemed none worse for wear as he took the court on Thursday night. He nearly messed around and got a triple-double, scoring 31 points while grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out eight assists. James was joined in double-figures by Chris Bosh (15 points), Shane Battier (11) and Mario Chalmers (10). Eddy Curry also made an appearance, scoring six points in six minutes.
Pau Gasol scored a team-high 26 points, on 11-of-17 shooting, for the Lakers. Kobe Bryant was also north of 20 points, finishing with 24. Andrew Bynum was the only other Laker in double-figures with 15.
For more on the two teams, check out Los Angeles Lakers blog Silver Screen and Rolland Miami Heat blog Peninsula is Mighter, as well as SB Nation LA.
Jan 19 10:52p by Brian Floyd - 0 comments