Eddie Jones registered 18 points as the Miami [Images] Heat overcame a sluggish start to defeat the New Jersey Nets 90-65 on Saturday.

It was the Heat's eighth consecutive victory and their 12th straight win at home.

Miami took its record to 48-16, nine games ahead of the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference overall standings. The Heat also improved to 27-5 at home while allowing their lowest points total of the season.

The Heat trailed 39-37 after the first half but outscored the Nets 33-16 in the third quarter and 20-10 in the final 12 minutes.

Shaquille O'Neal had 15 points and 11 rebounds while Damon Jones added 15 points for the Heat, who held the Nets to 3-for-18 shooting in the third session. Dwyane Wade picked up 13 points for Miami.

Vince Carter scored 20 points to lead the Nets, who have lost four of their last five games. Jason Kidd claimed seven points, nine rebounds and four assists.

In Charlotte, Kobe Bryant's [Images] jumper with 0.9 seconds left rallied the Los Angeles Lakers past the Bobcats 117-116.

Bryant had 32 points and nine assists for the Lakers, who trailed for most of the game against the expansion Bobcats.

Chucky Atkins added 26 points as Los Angeles won back-to-back road games for the first time this season.

Emeka Okafor recorded a career-high 30 points and 11 rebounds for Charlotte while Brevin Knight had 21 points and 17 assists.

In Atlanta, James Richardson and Mike Dunleavy scored 22 apiece to help the Golden State Warriors beat the Hawks 105-92.

Baron Davis added 20 points and eight assists for the Warriors while Troy Murphy had nine points and 15 rebounds.

Josh Childress led Atlanta with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

In New Orleans, Dan Dickau and JR Smith contributed 17 points apiece as the Hornets edged the Milwaukee Bucks 111-107.

P J Brown added 16 points, 13 rebounds and six assists for the Hornets, who had seven players in double figures.

Michael Redd paced Milwaukee with 29 points while Dan Gadzuric picked up 10 points and 16 rebounds.

In San Antonio, Kenyon Martin scored 23 points as the Denver Nuggets registered the last 10 points of the game to defeat the Spurs 90-87 for their eighth straight victory.

Carmelo Anthony added 21 points for the Nuggets, including two free throws in the dying seconds.

Tony Parker had 25 points for the Spurs, who lost at home for only the third time this season. Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili were missing through injury.

In Portland, Shareef Abdur-Rahim posted 25 points and 10 rebounds to guide the Trail Blazers to an 80-66 triumph over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Darius Miles recorded eight points, nine rebounds and eight assists for the Blazers.

Lorenzen Wright had 21 points and 12 rebounds for Memphis.