LA Lakers 90, Miami 99: LeBron scored 39 points, dished out eight assists and collected seven rebounds in a quintessential LeBron performance. Check out this 60 second sequence in the first quarter: LeBron dunk, Wade dunk, LeBron steal, no-look pass to Wade for a dunk. LeBron had six dunks, the most he’s had in a game since 2009. Remember all that chatter about the Heat and minutes and shots and pouting earlier this week? They’re fine. The Lakers? Less so.

New York 102, Detroit 87: This game was played in London. Why? David Stern is a fool, that’s why. That being said, I love London. Have only had the fortune of spending one night there (stopover on the way back from a trip) but it was magical. The city was poppin’, and I love everything about the Brits – accents, lingo, soccer, beer, fish and chips. Carmelo scored 26; Detroit rookie Andre Drummond scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in 22 foul-plagued minutes.

LA Clippers 90, Minnesota 77: Do I wish I stuck with my pre-Howard trade prediction of the Clippers being the 2nd best team in the West? Yes. They’re 31-9 and won again without Chris Paul. The Clippers are 12-1 when Jamal Crawford, a reserve, leads them in scoring (he had 22). If you haven’t been paying attention, they’re winning with defense: 4th in opponents ppg (93.3), 5th in opponents FG percentage (43.1). There’s always next year, T-Wolves (16-20, losers of five straight).

Phoenix 98, Milwaukee 94: Larry Sanders keeps putting on a show – 19 points, 15 rebounds, two blocks, and the Bucks are two games above .500 after ending a 24-game losing streak (!) in the desert. Michael Beasley heat check: 2-of-10, five points in 15 minutes. So what contender who needs a bench boost is he getting traded?