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Miami Heat forward Shane Battier, center, battles for possession of a loose ball with Boston Celtics guard Marquis Daniels, left, guard Keyon Dooling, foreground and power forward Chris Wilcox during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. Wilfredo Lee, Associated Press
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Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh dunks the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, in Miami. Wilfredo Lee, Associated Press
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Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers (15) attempts to keep the ball in bounds as he is guarded by Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, in Miami. Wilfredo Lee, Associated Press
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Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen, left, looks for an open teammate past Miami Heat forward Shane Battier during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, in Miami. Wilfredo Lee, Associated Press
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Miami Heat forward LeBron James drives in for a dunk against Boston Celtics forward Brandon Bass during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, in Miami. Wilfredo Lee, Associated Press
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Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen, left, goes up for a shot against Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, in Miami. Wilfredo Lee, Associated Press
By Associated Press

MIAMI — LeBron James scored 26 points, rookie point guard Norris Cole came up with 14 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, and the Miami Heat nearly blew a 20-point lead before beating the Boston Celtics 115-107 on 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 on 8 for 12 shooting for the Celtics, while Rajon Rondo finished with 22 points and 12 assists and Keyon Dooling scored 13 off the Boston bench.

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

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