The Los Angeles Lakers travel to Miami to play the Miami Heat tonight in an NBA 2014 basketball game that will live stream online free from American Airlines Arena at 8:00 PM ET.
The Heat will try to continue their recent domination of the struggling Lakers as these teams meet Thursday night in Miami.
The Heat (30-12) had surrendered 103.8 points per game during a disappointing 2-4 road trek before clamping down in Tuesday's 93-86 win over Boston. Miami held the Celtics to 39.3 percent shooting and finished the game on a 9-0 run after trailing 86-84 with 3:08 left.
"Even if it wasn't perfect, the possessions meant something to us, mistakes meant something to us," coach Erik Spoelstra told the NBA's official website. "It starts with that type of pride in our defense."
The Heat are giving up 98.5 points per game, higher than their marks of 92.5 in 2011-12 and 95.0 last season. Miami is 25-1 when holding teams to fewer than 100.
"It's the only way we're going to be able to win games, if we defend," James said.
James led the way with 29 points against the Celtics, 11 of which came in the fourth quarter. Chris Bosh added 16 on 7-of-10 shooting for Miami, which was without Dwyane Wade (knees) for the third consecutive game. Miami is 6-6 when Wade sits out.
"It's difficult doing what we do," Bosh said. "But that's why we're the champs, to do the difficult thing again and get the job done. Tonight was a good start. We just have to build off of it."
The Heat would appear to have a good chance to do that against the Lakers (16-26). Miami has taken three straight and seven of eight in the series after pulling out a 101-95 victory at Los Angeles on Christmas Day.
Bosh and Wade scored 23 points apiece as the Heat shot 51.3 percent and held a 58-26 edge in the paint.
After this contest, Miami faces San Antonio and Oklahoma City to conclude a four-game homestand.
"It's a good test for us. The Lakers are a really good team, too. They're just in an unbelievable conference," James said. "Obviously we know what the Spurs and OKC are all about. We're looking forward to playing against these three teams, but it starts with the Lakers, and then we go from there."
Los Angeles, in the midst of a season-high seven-game road trip, had posted back-to-back wins before suffering a 102-100 overtime loss to Chicago on Monday. The Lakers are 3-13 in their last 16, giving up the winning layup as time expired in OT.
Pau Gasol stayed hot with 20 points and season bests of 19 boards and five blocks. He has averaged 22.0 points and 12.4 boards while shooting 53.0 percent over a five-game stretch.
Despite Gasol's efforts, the Lakers continue to stumble with Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash still sidelined.
"It just makes it harder," coach Mike D'Antoni said. "The biggest thing is how to finish games off because you know where you're going if they're on the floor. You've got to figure that out."
The game will be broadcast nationally over the TNT television network. It will also be live streamed online at
https://nbaliveonline.tv/streaming/
