James has 24, streaking Heat beat Hawks 103-90

[February 21, 2013]  ATLANTA, Ga. (AP) -- Miami scored the first 13 points of the fourth quarter to erase Atlanta's 10-point lead and the Heat, led by LeBron James' 24 points, beat the Hawks 103-90 on Wednesday night to extend their season-best winning streak to eight games.

Dwyane Wade scored 20 points and Shane Battier had 17, hitting three 3-pointers in the final period. James had 11 assists and six rebounds but could not extend his franchise-record streak of seven straight games with at least 30 points.

Miami outscored Atlanta 40-17 in the final period after trailing 73-63 through three quarters.

Al Horford led the Hawks with 27 points and nine rebounds. Kyle Korver had 12 points, all on 3-pointers.

Josh Smith had 10 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in what could be his final game with the Hawks. Smith has been one of the league's most prominent names in reports leading to Thursday's 3 p.m. trade deadline.

The Heat are 3-0 against the Hawks this season and have won six straight in the series.

The Heat trailed only 57-56 early in the third period before the Hawks stretched the lead with 10 straight points. Korver had two 3-pointers before Smith's two-handed jam capped the run, giving Atlanta its biggest lead at 67-56.

Ray Allen, who had a three-point play after Battier's first 3-pointer of the fourth quarter, gave Miami its first lead of the second half at 74-73 with a layup. Two free throws by James capped the 13-0 run.

Allen had 15 points and Mario Chalmers had 14.

NOTES: Miami G Mike Miller did not make the flight to Atlanta due to ear problems resulting from a head cold. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said he hopes Miller joins the team for Thursday's game at Chicago. ... Chalmers left the game less than 2 minutes into the second half and was limping after appearing to roll his right ankle. He returned after missing only a few minutes. ... Hawks coach Larry Drew said he hopes the team adds a guard if it makes no other trade-deadline move. G Jannero Pargo's second 10-day contract expired, and Drew said he must monitor Harris, who has had problems with his left foot. ... Celebrities in the crowd included Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and receivers Julio Jones and Roddy White and former heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield.

[Associated Press; By CHARLES ODUM]

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