MIAMI -- The Cleveland Cavaliers rested forward LeBron James and suffered the consequences, falling 99-84 to the Miami Heat on Saturday night at American Airlines Arena.

In his 13-year pro career, it was the earliest in a season that James had sat out without an announced injury. But after James played 45 minutes in New Orleans late Friday night, the Cavs opted to have him on their bench, not in uniform.

Miami fans taunted their former star player, chanting, "LeBron is tired!" James, fifth in the league in minutes played, smiled when he heard the taunt.

Without James, the Cavs were no match for the Heat, who have defeated Cleveland 10 straight times when the teams play in Miami.

The Heat (12-6), which got a game-high 19 points from shooting guard Dwyane Wade, pulled into a virtual tie with Cleveland (13-7) in a tightly packed Eastern Conference.

Miami has won two straight games. Cleveland has lost three straight games.

Miami was also led by point guard Goran Dragic, who had 17 points and eight assists. Dragic got off quickly, making all four of his first-quarter shots to score 10 points. It was his highest scoring quarter of the season.

Heat center Hassan Whiteside added seven points, nine rebounds and five blocks.

Cleveland was led by forward Richard Jefferson, who had 16 points while starting in place of James.

Whiteside, who leads the NBA in blocked shots, got two fouls in the first five minutes of the game for the second time this week. It also happened during a 10-point loss against Boston on Monday.

This time the Heat prospered without Whiteside, building a 16-point lead before settling for a 34-22 advantage headed into the second quarter. The Heat shot 74 percent, including four of five on 3-pointers, for their highest-scoring first quarter of the season.

Miami extended its lead to 60-42 at halftime. Dragic had 15 points as the Heat shot 66 percent from the floor in the first half, leading by as many as 20 points.

The Heat's lead after three quarters was 83-64, and the Cavs never seriously threatened.

NOTES: Cavs F LeBron James, whom the Cavs opted to rest, has missed 14 games in the one-plus seasons since his return to Cleveland. In four years with the Heat, he missed just 18 games. James needed the rest after scoring a season-high 37 points on Friday night in an overtime loss at New Orleans. James scored 23 points in the fourth quarter. ... The Cavaliers arrived in Miami at 5 a.m. Saturday after a late-night flight from New Orleans. ... F Richard Jefferson, playing in place of James, made his third start of the season. ... Heat F Luol Deng (hamstring) missed his fifth straight game. F Gerald Green has started all five games in his place. ... Heat F Josh McRoberts was coming off a season-high 12 points Thursday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.