James' 37-point show too much for Nets to handle

James' 37-point show too much for Nets to handle

Corey Sipkin/New York Daily News

Kris Humpries can't keep LeBron James from putting on a 37-point show on Monday at Prudential Center.

LeBron James didnt shrink in the fourth quarter. On a night the young and feisty Nets gave James all he can handle, he rose to the occasion and pummeled an overmatched team.

James scored the final 17 points for the HeatMonday night, including 11 unanswered, icing the 101-98 victory on the line with 10.6 seconds remaining.

The Newark crowd, witnessing the third-to-last NBA game in New Jersey, chanted MVP for James. Without an injured Deron W illiams (sore right calf), the Nets trotted out a starting lineup featuring two rookies and two players originally acquired on 10-day contracts.

Kris Humphries paced the Nets with 29 points and eight rebounds. MarShon Brooks added 24 points with seven rebounds and six assists.

But James without injured sidekick Dwyane Wade dropped 17 of his 37 in the fourth quarter, cutting through a porous Nets defense. The victory extended a 10-game winning streak against the Nets dating back to 2009. The next time they play Miami, it will be as the Brooklyn Nets.

James single-handed 11-0 run started with the Nets leading 95-88 after Humphries jumper with 2:28 remaining. The Nets (22-40) had no answer in front of a crowd that included Jay-Z, Beyonce, Victor Cruz and a boatload of Jets players.

The game wasnt on YES because it conflicted with the Yankees, so fans had to get creative to find it on television. They mightve missed an exciting game.

The N ets took a 74-61 lead in the third quarter before their offense devolved into isolations and poor shots. Miamis Joel Anthony cut the deficit tofour with 59 seconds left in the third before Gerald Greens buzzer-beating 3-pointer gave the Nets a 79-70 advantage.

But the Heat went on a 12-3 run, capped by Norris Coles jumper with 7:11 left to tie the game at 82. It was similar to Miamis game against the Knicks a day before at the Garden, where the Heat went on a late run to solidify its standing as the Eastern Conferences No. 2 seed.

The Nets folded in the final three minutes, but it was an impressive showing for a team with one foot out the door.

Its going to be a building block for (the young players). I know theyre excited, Avery Johnson saidbeforehand. I just think for our young guys its exciting for them to make a move against Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh and see how effective is that move going to be compared to guys theyve been playing. Itll be a gre at lesson tonight and hopefully well get something out of it.