The Miami Heat lead the Los Angeles Lakers 51-46 after the first half of a Christmas Day showdown on Wednesday. Dwyane Wade was quite the gift-giver, throwing two lob passes to LeBron James, who finished in spectacular fashion each time.
James had 12 points, six rebounds and three assists after two quarters.
The Lakers were led by guard Jodie Meeks' 10 points and had launched 20 three-point shots but only made six. Los Angeles was also dominating the offensive glass -- it had nine offensive boards -- but only had eight second-chance points off the opportunities.
Mike D'Antoni's team was only shooting 38 percent to Miami's 57 percent accuracy.
The Lakers led by as many as 10 to build a 27-21 lead after one quarter, while the Heat were led by James' 10 early points. He backed down the undersized Wesley Johnson for a two-handing flush early on and later cocked his arm back on a fastbreak alley-oop pass from Wade. Late in the second quarter, James added another transition flush on an off-the-backboard pass from Wade.
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