Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James attempts to score over the Miami Heat's Jermaine O'Neal during first quarter NBA basketball action in Miami, Florida November 12, 2009. (HANS DERYK/REUTERS)

MIAMI, November 12, 2009 (AFP) - LeBron James scored 34 points to power Cleveland to a 111-104 victory over Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat on Thursday in an NBA mach contest.

Wade scored 36 points - his 21st straight outing of at least 20 points - but couldn't bring the Heat back from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit.

Mo Williams made five 3-pointers and scored 25 points for the Cavs, while Shaquille O'Neal added 14 against his former team.

James, however, led the way, pouring in the Cavaliers' final eight points in the last 2:42 minutes.

He finished with seven assists and went 16 for 18 from the free-throw line.

Cleveland notched their highest points total of the season and handed the Heat just their second defeat.

James and Wade shared a long embrace just before tipoff, and they joked during a timeout near the end of the first half.

Both can opt out of their contracts next year, and on Wednesday, Wade said the pair have discussed the possibility of going to the same team.

James then said he won't discuss free agency with reporters any more until the end of the season.

For now, the two friends make entertaining foes.

With three minutes remaining, Wade made a three-pointer, blocked a shot and sank another basket to cut the margin to 103-99.

That was as close as the Heat could get, however.

James responded with a three-pointer, then made five free throws to stretch the lead to 111-102 with 57 seconds to play.

The two All-Stars had a star-studded audience that included Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, who sat next to Heat president Pat Riley.

Jordan's former Chicago Bulls teammate Scottie Pippen was sitting courtside.