LeBron James, Miami Heat hold off Clippers 116-112

Los Angeles: LeBron James had 31 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds and Ray Allen hit a clinching 3-pointer in the final minute as the Miami Heat snapped a five-game road losing streak against the stubborn Los Angeles Clippers with a 116-112 victory on Wednesday night.

Allen had 15 points off the bench for the two-time defending NBA champions, who began a six-game road trip that will be interrupted four games in by the All-Star break. Dwyane Wade, one of seven Miami players scoring in double figures, had 14 points and eight assists in his 700th regular-season game. The Heat had lost 10 of their previous 12 road games against the Clippers, and hadn’t beaten them at Staples Centre since December 9, 2007.

Los Angeles got a season-high 43 points and 13 rebounds from Blake Griffin and 31 points from Jamal Crawford.