NBA: Miami 98, Denver 93

Norris Cole hit the last of Miami's 13 3-point shots with 53 seconds remaining Thursday to halt a Denver rally and boost the Heat to a 98-93 victory. Miami became the first team in the Eastern Conference to win seven games and improved to 3-2 on a six-game road trip that ends Saturday in Phoenix. The Heat led by 13 points heading into the fourth period, but the Nuggets rallied to within one when Andre Iguodala hit two free throws with 1:37 to play. Ray Allen then missed a 3-point attempt for the Heat, giving the Nuggets a chance to take the lead. Danilo Gallinari wasted no time trying a 3-pointer for the Nuggets, but it came up well short and Miami raced to the other end. Cole came through with his wide open 3-point shot from the corner, giving Miami a four-point cushion that it protected down the stretch. The Heat's 13 3-pointers came in 27 attempts with Shane Battier making six of them for all of his 18 points. LeBron James led Miami with 27 points, eight rebounds and 12 assists. Andre Miller had 19 points for the Nuggets. Kenneth Faried contributed 16 points and 20 rebounds.