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ByTimReynolds The Associated Press MIAMI LeBron James and Dwyane Wade wrapped each other in a pregame embrace, chatted and laughed at half- time, then hugged again after the final buzzer. Just like old times. Only this time, just one got to enjoy a victory. James' return to Miami as an opponent was a success — for the Heat, that is. Wade scored 24 of his 31 points in the first half, Luol Deng had 25 points and dogged James defensively all night, and the Heat beat the Cleveland Cava- liers 101-91 in a hyped Christ- mas matchup Thursday. "We didn't have a bad breakup," Wade said. "We played against each other for seven years, man. The weird- ness just wasn't there. It wasn't like we played against each other our whole career and the breakup happened. We played against each other for seven years, then with each other for a period of time, then he went back to the same situation and I'm in the same place." Here's an example of how their relationship has endured: When James, who returned to Cleveland in the offseason af- ter four seasons and two titles with the Heat, and the Cava- liers landed in South Florida on Wednesday, the four-time NBA MVP went to Wade's house for a night of Christmas Eve revelry. "We only play this game for so long," said James, who got a warm ovation when a video of his Heat highlights played in the first quarter. "You've still got life afterwards. For us we're going to compete, we're going to go about our business and do what we need to do in our pro- fession. You'll never let friend- ship come in between that." James had 30 points and eight assists for the Cavaliers, who got 25 from Kyrie Irving and 14 from Kevin Love. "Couple of the best in this generation," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said about the James vs. Wade nights. "Spectacular. I wish I could sit back and en- joy it like a fan, because it's just fantastic basketball. ... How- ever long these two guys play, you'll get your money's worth." NBA HeatwininLeBron's MiamireturnforCavs Wade scores 31 points for Miami in hyped matchup against Cleveland LYNNESLADKY—THEASSOCIATEDPRESS Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) waves to the crowd a er the Miami Heat played a tribute video to James during the first half Thursday against the Heat in Miami. By Raul Dominguez The Associated Press SAN ANTONIO Russell West- brook smiled as he walked off the court in San Antonio, blowing a kiss to a spectator and waving at the few Oklahoma City Thunder fans in attendance. The joyful tidings were a dras- tic change from the scowling, screaming, chest-thumping pas- sion Westbrook showed after es- sentially walking into the Spurs' home on Christmas and kicking aside their presents. Westbrook had 34 points and 11 assists, and ignited a decisive run in the fourth quarter to help Oklahoma City beat San Antonio 114-106 on Thursday in a fiery re- match of last season's Western Conference Finals. "Regardless of what's going on, like I said before and I'm go- ing to keep saying it, my job is to attack," Westbrook said. He led the Thunder to their sixth straight regular-season victory over the defending NBA champions in the first meeting between the teams since San An- tonio topped Oklahoma City in six games on the way to a fifth title. The Thunder were without reigning MVP Kevin Durant, and the Spurs were missing Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, but there was still plenty of firepower. NBA Westbrook scores 34, Thunder top Spurs Oklahoma City guard adds 11 assists, ignites decisive run in fourth quarter in San Antonio Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (right) shoots over San Antonio Spurs guard Cory Joseph during the first half Thursday in San Antonio. DARREN ABATE — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Now that winter is here, scale insects have started showing up on my potted citrus tree and some orchids. How many other plant pests lurk, ready for a population explosion when conditions become ripe? INSECTS Howtothwartpests in your houseplants FULLSTORYONPAGEB2 Get your puzzles fix with the NEA Crossword, 7Little Words and Celebrity Cipher, start your day off right with your horoscope, and read the latest advice doled out by Carolyn Hax. YOUR DAILY BREAK Fun and games inside today PAGE B6 The Red Bluff High School Honor Roll for the Fall Semes- ter of the 2014-2015school year. To qualify for the honor roll, a student must have at least a 3.0grade point average and have had no D or F grade. RED BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL Fall semester honor roll announced FULL STORY ON PAGE B3 Watch out for phishing emails with a professional twist. Scammers are targeting busi- nesses with email messages that appear to be from the company's human resources department. SCAM ALERT Phishing at work? Be wary of these emails FULL STORY ON PAGE B2 By Brian Mahoney The Associated Press NEW YORK John Wall is fast and flashy, a showman who practices 360-degree layups and then pulls them off in games. And when he gets pushed, he pushes back. Wall had 24 points and 11 as- sists, eluding the Knicks all day until getting knocked to the floor by a flagrant foul that sparked an altercation, and the Washington Wizards beat New York 102-91 on Thursday. Wall toyed with the Knicks for 3 quarters, highlighted by his spinning layup, before Quincy Acy knocked him down with a forearm shove with 5:31 to play. Wall got up and pushed Acy, who responded with what appeared to be a punch that hit Wall behind the neck. Acy was ejected in the Christmas Day dust-up, and Wall received a technical foul. "I'm just a feisty guy that likes to compete," Wall said. "And I want to win games." Washington won this one eas- ily, leading by as many as 22 and never trailing. Bradley Beal added 17 points for the Wizards, who had their top five of Wall, Beal, Paul Pierce, Nene and Marcin Gortat in the starting lineup for the first time this season. "We came out with a lot of en- ergy, ready to go from the start," Beal said, "and it's just going to continue to get better and better as the season goes on." Carmelo Anthony scored 34 points for the Knicks, who fell to 5-26 and have the most losses in the NBA. They have dropped six straight and 16 of 17. "The fans are dying. We're dy- ing. We're out there not produc- ing," Anthony said. Wall was dazzling in what could be a warmup for a trip to Madison Square Garden for the February All-Star game. He was the leading vote-getter among Eastern Conference guards when the first returns of fan balloting were released earlier Thursday. He might expand that lead af- ter a national TV audience got to see him make 10 of 17 shots, the prettiest his layup where he spun completely around in the air be- fore scooping it in. Acy found a way to slow him down, though he denied he threw a punch or did much else to war- rant punishment. "I mean, it's just a foul and he got up and reacted," Acy said. Wall largely shrugged it off af- ter the game. "Like we always say: If you don't like physicality, go play golf," Pierce said. The Wizards avoided their first three-game losing streak of the season. They have won five in a row against the hapless Knicks, who had Amare Stoudemire back in the lineup after he missed two games. J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert remained out. NBA Wall helps Wizards outclass Knicks Flagrant foul leads to altercation, ejection KATHY WILLENS — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Washington Wizards forwards Kris Humphries (le ) and Nene Hilario (42) restrain New York Knicks forward Quincy Acy (4) who has his hand balled into a fist, and Wizards guard John Wall (2) a er Acy and Wall engaged in an on-court scuffle in the second half Thursday in New York. SPORTS » redbluffdailynews.com Friday, December 26, 2014 MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS B1