LeBron, Wade, Cole lead Heat past Celtics

LeBron James scored 26 points, rookie point guard Norris Cole came up with 14 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, and the host Miami Heat nearly blew a 20-point lead before beating the Boston Celtics, 115-107, Tuesday night.

Dwyane Wade finished with 24 points and eight assists for Miami, which got 18 from Chris Bosh and twice saw its lead cut to three in the final minutes. Cole delivered the answer both times with a pair of jump shots, and the Heat escaped.

Ray Allen scored 28 points and shot 8-for-12 for the Celtics, Rajon Rondo finished with 22 points and 12 assists and Keyon Dooling scored 13 off the Boston bench.

Through two games, Miami (2-0) has trailed only once -- by two points, for all of 14 seconds.

Bucks 98, Timberwolves 95: Rookie Jon Leuer converted a three-point play with 1:17 left for host Milwaukee.

Brandon Jennings scored 24 points and Stephen Jackson 16 for the Bucks, who were playing without forward Drew Gooden because of a suspension and several other key players because of injuries.

Gooden was charged with a flagrant foul in the season opener. The NBA said that Gooden had been suspended without pay for clocking Gerald Henderson in the head with his arm as the Bobcats guard attempted to make a driving layup in Charlotte's 96-95 win Monday. Kevin Love had 31 points and 20 rebounds for the Timberwolves, whose late rally came up short. Minnesota was without coach Rick Adelman, who was attending his mother-in-law's funeral. Assistant Terry Porter filled in.-- AP