Miami turns up Heat to Thrash Hornets 96 – 84 for Ninth Straight Win

The red-hot Miami Heat used an 18-2 second-half run to blow past the New Orleans Hornets 96-84 on Monday for their ninth straight victory.

Dwyane Wade scored 32 points, including the final six of Miami's second-half explosion that gave the Heat a commanding 94-77 lead midway through the fourth quarter.

Chris Bosh had 23 points and 11 rebounds while LeBron James finished with 20 points as the "Big Three" continued to find their form during a dominant stretch for Miami (18-8).

Miami lost to New Orleans in their last meeting on Nov 5, but the teams have gone in opposite directions since then with the Hornets (14-10) losing nine of their last 12 following a surprising 11-1 start to the season.

David West put up 26 points and 12 rebounds for New Orleans, which kept the game close until the Heat raced away with the contest beginning late in the third quarter.