NBA basketball game results, March 8 ~ Richard Maravilla, RN

source: Associated Press

Erik Spoelstra pledged to keep the Miami Heat fighting. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade insisted their confidence remains high.

The Heat script hasn't changed much lately. Nor have the results, as Miami's free fall continues.

LaMarcus Aldridge scored 26 points, Gerald Wallace scored 22 - easily his best game since joining Portland last month - and the visiting Blazers survived a 38-point effort by Wade in beating the Heat 105-96 on Tuesday night, sending Miami to its fifth straight loss overall and sixth in eight games since the break.

James finished with 31 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists for the Heat, who are the 12th team in NBA history to have a 12-game winning streak and five-game losing streak in the same season.

"How do we explain it? We can't," James said. "This isn't rock bottom for us. Crazy thing is, we could lose every game and still make the playoffs in the East."

-- Lakers coach Phil Jackson on reports that Heat players cried after a Sunday loss to Chicago: "This is the NBA: No Boys Allowed. Big boys don't cry," he said. "But if you're going to do it, do it in the toilet where no one sees you."

Lakers 101, Hawks 87:

In Atlanta, Kobe Bryant scored 26 points to pass Moses Malone for sixth place on the career scoring list.

Suns 113, Rockets 110:

Hakim Warrick scored a career-high 32 points starting in place of injured Channing Frye. Vince Carter scored 15 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter in the Suns' seventh consecutive victory over visiting Houston.

76ers 110, Pacers 100:

Thaddeus Young scored 18 points and Andre Iguodala, off back-to-back triple-doubles, finished with 16 points and 10 assists for visiting Philadelphia.

Bucks 95, Wizards 76:

In Washington, Brandon Jennings scored 23 points and Andrew Bogut had 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in his first game back after an injury.

Concussion policy:

The NBA is consulting with an independent neurologist and may establish a league-wide policy for handling concussions by next season, the Associated Press has learned.