CAVALIERS Heat on upper end of 98-92 outcome

Alonzo Mourning took charge during a decisive stretch.
MIAMI (AP) -- While LeBron James and Dwyane Wade waged a shootout, Shaquille O'Neal struggled.
By the fourth quarter O'Neal was on the bench, replaced by Alonzo Mourning, who helped the Miami Heat earn their latest come-from-behind victory Sunday by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers, 98-92.
James scored 47 points for Cleveland and Wade had 35 for Miami, but it was Mourning who took charge during the decisive stretch.
The backup center finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and several shot-changing defensive plays in 23 minutes.
"His intensity hurt us more than anything," Cleveland guard Damon Jones said. "Not only did it energize the crowd, but it energized the other players on his team."
Down by 15
The Heat, once down by 15 points, trailed at halftime for the sixth game in a row. They've rallied to win five of them.
O'Neal played only 21/2 minutes in the fourth quarter, and he sat for the first 71/2 minutes of the period while Miami rallied from a five-point deficit to take an 83-77 lead. Mourning scored three consecutive baskets during the comeback, including a dunk that put Miami ahead to stay.
Riley said he kept Mourning in the game simply because the lineup on the floor was playing well.
O'Neal's thoughts on the matter were unknown: He left the arena without talking to the media.
Searching for offense, Riley also played O'Neal and Mourning together for the first time this season. Miami outscored Cleveland 13-8 with the combination in the lineup during a 41/2-minute stretch in the third quarter.
O'Neal had 18 points, eight rebounds and five turnovers in 29 minutes. He struggled trying to defend Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who had 21 points and six rebounds, and had trouble finishing plays inside.
Bruising play
Enter Mourning, whose bruising play altered the momentum. When one scrum sent Cleveland's Anderson Varejao sprawling, Mourning stood over him and glared like a boxer following a knockout as the crowd roared.
"All of us needed to contribute to get that win," Mourning said. "Some nights it's going to be like that. We always look to D-Wade and Shaq, but when our number is called, we've got to be ready.
It took a lot to keep up with James, who made a career-high 24 free throws in 28 attempts. He has averaged 39 points in three games against the Heat.
Gary Payton's 3-pointer with 8:05 left gave the Heat their first lead, 75-74, and Mourning's final basket made it 92-86 with 1:21 left.
James tried to rally the Cavs, scoring eight points in the final 97 seconds. But after he missed a 3-point try with 10 seconds left, Wade sealed Miami's victory with a breakaway dunk.
Rebounded from loss
The Heat bounced back from a home loss Friday to Golden State and have won 11 of their past 12 games. Cleveland lost in Miami for the seventh time in a row.
With the 1 p.m. start and the tendency of Miamians to arrive late, the game was midway through the second half before the arena filled up. Many fans arrived with the home team trailing by double digits.
The Heat missed 14 of their first 18 shots and fell behind 21-9.