MIAMI — 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 yesterday 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."

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 2 1/2 minutes in the fourth quarter, and he sat for the first 7 1/2 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.

Pat Riley said he kept Mourning in the game because the lineup on the floor was playing well.

"They just kept raising the energy level," Riley said. "I hate to break that up."

O'Neal's thoughts on the matter were unknown: He left the arena without talking to the media.

SPURS 88, ROCKETS 81

SAN ANTONIO — Tim Duncan scored 20 points, Michael Finley made a pair of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, and San Antonio held off a late rally to beat Houston.

SUPERSONICS 120, LAKERS 113

LOS ANGELES — Rashard Lewis scored 26 points, Ray Allen had 19 to pass the 15,000-point mark for his career, as Seattle beat Los Angeles.

76ERS 94, GRIZZLIES 91

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Chris Webber picked up the slack for an injured Allen Iverson, scoring 31 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and adding nine assists to lead Philadelphia. The Sixers played the second half without Iverson, who sprained his right ankle near the end of the first half and did not return.

PISTONS 94, BOBCATS 78

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Richard Hamilton scored 24 points and Tayshaun Price added 23 as Detroit improved to 28-2 at home. Detroit needed only 62 games to reach 50 wins, breaking the team record set in 1988-89 by four games. Detroit needs to go 14-6 in its final 20 games to break the franchise mark of 63 wins.

RAPTORS 93, PACERS 89

TORONTO — Mike James made a go-ahead jumper with 8.2 seconds left, and Toronto ended a three-game losing streak.

CELTICS 106, NUGGETS 101

BOSTON — Paul Pierce scored 36 points, Wally Szczerbiak added 18, and Boston snapped Denver's four-game winning streak.

NETS 95, HORNETS 84

OKLAHOMA CITY — Vince Carter scored 27 points and New Jersey dealt New Orleans its season-worst sixth straight loss.

KINGS 85, MAVERICKS 80

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Brad Miller had 17 points and 10 rebounds, Kenny Thomas scored six points in the final minute and Sacramento hung on for its 12th straight home victory.

TRAIL BLAZERS 111, SUNS 101

PORTLAND, Ore. — Zach Randolph had 32 points and 14 rebounds, and Portland snapped a four-game losing streak.