MIAMI: The Boston Celtics led throughout in a 112-107 win over Miami Thursday, beating the Heat for the second time this NBA season and handing them a second straight home loss. Ray Allen hit his first seven 3-point tries and finished with 35 points, while Paul Pierce added 25 for Boston, which has won 13 of the last 14 regular-season meetings in addition to eliminating Miami in the opening round of last season's playoffs. Boston led by as much as 20 points. The Heat got within three points with 13 seconds left, but Allen hit two free throws to seal it. Miami's LeBron James finished with 35 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, narrowly missing his second straight triple-double. “These tests show us how far we have to go,” James told reporters. “Right now we are talented enough to play against these teams but the chemistry right now isn't up to the level of some of these better teams in the league right now. “It is kind of difficult for us to stay on point throughout the whole game,” he added. Nuggets 118, Lakers 112: In Denver, Los Angeles lost its first game of the season, defeated by Denver. Carmelo Anthony had 32 points and 13 rebounds while Nene added 18 points for the Nuggets. Kobe Bryant scored a season-high 34 points and Pau Gasol had 17 points and 20 rebounds for the Lakers, who fell short of winning their first nine games for the first time since 1997-98. The Lakers led by 10 early in the fourth when the Nuggets rallied. Down 105-103, the Nuggets took over. A 3-pointer by J.R. Smith and two baskets by Anthony sparked an 11-0 run that gave Denver the lead for good. Bulls 120, Warriors 90: In Chicago, the hosts dashed to a 30-point lead in the first half and cruised through the second for a big win over Golden State. Luol Deng scored 26 points while Derrick Rose had 22 points and 13 assists for his third double-double of the season. He finished one assist shy of his career best, which he's increased twice already this season. Monta Ellis had 24 points to lead the Warriors, who were playing without injured forward David Lee.
