The Tribune

MIAMI (AP) -- LeBron James wants some rest. He also wants to play. For now, the desire to play seems to be stronger. And his MVP candidacy may be a beneficiary of that decision. James scored 28 points before taking the fourth quarter off, Mike Miller added 13 points and the Miami Heat continued tuning up for the postseason by pulling away in the second half to beat the Toronto Raptors 96-72 last night. The Raptors tied a franchise-worst with 23 points in the second half. James made 12 of his 15 shots for Miami, which also got 10 points from Udonis Haslem. The Heat - who can now finish no worse than No. 2 in the Eastern Conference - played without Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, both given the night off for what Miami calls "maintenance" of some nagging aches and pains. James Johnson scored 18 points, Alan Anderson added 15 and DeMar DeRozan had 12 for Toronto, which fell for the sixth time in eight games. Up next for Miami: A showdown at home against Chicago tonight. The Bulls (47-15) hold a two-game lead over the Heat (44-17) in the East standings.