Miami ? Derek Fisher caught a long outlet pass, then sent a backward, between-his-legs bounce pass to Gary Payton for an uncontested layup in the waning seconds.

It wasn’t the only thing Fisher made look easy Tuesday night.

Fisher went on a personal 8-0 run over a 2:28 span of the fourth quarter, capping his season-high 18-point effort and lifting the Los Angeles Lakers past the Miami Heat, 98-83.

Miami never led in the second half, yet clawed its way within one on three separate occasions — the last coming on Rafer Alston’s three-pointer with 7:17 remaining, a shot that brought the Heat within 78-77.

Fisher scored the next eight, and the Lakers never looked back in recording consecutive wins for the first time since mid-January.

“I had to wait for some opportunities to come around,” Fisher said. “I worked up a sweat, and I felt good. I like playing here.”

Shaquille O’Neal had 25 points, and Payton and Devean George each had 17 for the Lakers.

Nets 89, Pistons 78

East Rutherford, N.J. — Richard Jefferson had 27 points and 10 rebounds, and the Nets posted their ninth straight win — eighth in a row under new coach Lawrence Frank. Jason Kidd added 16 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.

Warriors 106, Sonics 97

Los Angeles' Gary Payton, left, and Devean George, center, harass Miami's Caron Butler. The Lakers defeated the Heat, 98-83, Tuesday night in Miami.

Seattle — Jason Richardson had 22 points, and Brian Cardinal added 20 as Golden State defeated Seattle.

Raptors 101, Suns 94

Phoenix — Vince Carter scored 22 of his 29 points in the second half, and Morris Peterson matched his career high with seven three-pointers in Toronto’s win.

Jazz 86, Blazers 81

Portland, Ore. — Carlos Arroyo scored 14 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter and Utah held off Portland in the Blazers’ first game since trading forward Rasheed Wallace.

T’wolves 96, Clippers 84

Minneapolis — Kevin Garnett was one rebound short of a double-double in the first quarter and finished with 31 points and 16 rebounds, leading Minnesota.

Kings 124, Bucks 117

Milwaukee — Peja Stojakovic scored 31 points and sank all four of his free throws in the final 20 seconds to help Sacramento. The Bucks took a 115-114 lead on Michael Redd’s layup with a 1:02 left, but Vlade Divac’s wide-open 15-foot jumper gave the Kings the lead for good.

Pacers 103, Bulls 84

Chicago — Ron Artest scored 26 points to warm up for his first All-Star game appearance and Indiana rolled to an easy victory.

Mavericks 105, Knicks 90

Dallas — Dirk Nowitzki had 27 points and 12 rebounds, and Michael Finley added 25 points and 10 rebounds as Dallas snapped New York’s season-high five-game winning streak.