Heat snap Celtics’ 16-game win streak.
MIAMI — Goran Dragic scored 27 points, Dion Waiters had 26 with a pair of big 3-pointers in the final minutes and the Miami Heat held on to beat Boston 104-98 on Wednesday night, snapping the Celtics’ 16-game winning streak.
Tyler Johnson scored 16 points for Miami, which had an 18-point lead cut to one in the final moments. The Heat shot 49 percent and outrebounded the Celtics 48-37.
Kyrie Irving scored 23 points for Boston. Jayson Tatum added 18, and Jaylen Brown and Marcus Morris each had 14.
The Celtics got down by 18 in the first half, which has been a very comfortable place for Boston this season. Boston had overcome 18-point deficits against Oklahoma City and Charlotte, a 17-point hole against Golden State, a 16-pointer against Atlanta and rallied from 13 down to win in Dallas this week.
CAVALIERS 119, NETS 109
In Cleveland, LeBron James shook off a blow to the face and scored 23 points in the fourth quarter — including 18 straight for Cleveland — and the Cavaliers beat Brooklyn for their sixth straight victory.
James needed stitches in the third quarter to close a gash above his lip that drew blood. He punched back at the Nets in the fourth and finished with 33 points.
ROCKETS 125, NUGGETS 95
In Houston, Trevor Ariza had a season-high 25 points in Houston’s victory over Denver.
Ariza was 7 of 10 from 3-point range. Chris Paul had 23 points and 12 assists, and James Harden added 21 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in limited action.
HORNETS 129, WIZARDS 124
In Charlotte, N.C., Dwight Howard had 26 points and 13 rebounds, including a key block at the end of regulation and a crucial offensive rebound in overtime, to help Charlotte beat Washington.
Kemba Walker and Jeremy Lamb each had 24 points for the Hornets, who overcame a nine-point fourth quarter deficit. The Hornets wrapped up a perfect three-game homestand.
76ERS 101, TRAIL BLAZERS 81
In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid had 28 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks and fast-starting Philadelphia handled Portland with ease.
Coming off a 21-point victory over Utah on Monday night, the 76ers scored the game’s first 16 points and held a double-digit lead most of the way.
CLIPPERS 116, HAWKS 103
In Atlanta, Blake Griffin had 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, Wesley Johnson scored a season-high 24 points and Los Angeles beat Atlanta to snapped a nine-game skid.
The Clippers had dropped 11 of 12, but they overcame a monthlong struggle of closing out opponents, taking the lead for good on a pair of free throws by Lou Williams with 4:11 left in the third quarter.
PELICANS 107, SPURS 90
In New Orleans, Anthony Davis had 29 points and 11 rebounds, Demarcus Cousins added 24 points and 15 rebounds, and New Orleans beat San Antonio.
Jrue Holiday scored 13 points and Darius Miller chipped in 13 on four 3-pointers for the Pelicans.
MAVERICKS 95, GRIZZLIES 94
In Memphis, Tenn., Harrison Barnes banked in a 30-footer at the buzzer to lift Dallas past Memphis.
Officials reviewed the play to make sure the shot got off in time. Memphis suffered its sixth straight loss after squandering an 18-point lead in the first half.
TIMBERWOLVES 124, MAGIC 118
In Minneapolis, Jimmy Butler tied a season high with 26 points, Taj Gibson scored a season-high 24, and Minnesota held off Orlando.
Jeff Teague had 22 points and 11 assists, and Andrew Wiggins added 20 points as all five starters scored in double figures to help the Timberwolves end a two-game slide.
KNICKS 108, RAPTORS 100
In New York, Tim Hardaway Jr. scored a career-high 38 points, including 12 during a 28-0 run in the third quarter that sent New York past Toronto.
Kristaps Porzingis added 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks, who outscored the Raptors 41-10 in the third.