NEW YORK _ The formula has been the same for the Miami Heat.
In each of the last three games against the Brooklyn Nets, the Heat has spotted the opposition a double-digit lead. And each time, they have rallied.
Things stayed true to form when the Heat overcame an 11-point, third-quarter deficit to capture a 108-99 victory Friday at Barclays Center. They have now won 13 straight games, the longest streak in the NBA this season. They were previously tied with the Golden State Warriors.
It also marked the third time the Heat have defeated the Nets in 16 days, with each game being a scrappy fight. Forward James Johnson led the way with 26 points on 11 of 17 shooting and eight rebounds off the bench. Guard Goran Dragic finished 21 points, five assists and four rebounds while reserve Tyler Johnson added 18 points.
The Heat sent the Nets to their league-high 12th straight loss.
"We don't think even think of it that way," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of the previous games against the Nets. "It's just the challenge that's in front of us right now."
The Heat trailed by 11 and 18 only to rally for victories in the previous matchups against Brooklyn. This time, they were down 67-56 after Nets center Brook Lopez made a jumper with 7 minutes, 24 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
"They've absolutely just ran by us with their pace," Spoelstra said. "We haven't been ready for it."
Facing the end of the win streak, the Heat responded by closing the quarter with an 18-5 run. After guard Tyler Johnson tied it at 72 with a put-back basket, the Heat took their first lead since the opening quarter on a pair of Johnson free throws.
As they have throughout the last month, the Heat closed strong. A 3-pointer by forward Okaro White, who only recently was signed for the remainder of the season after completing consecutive 10-day contracts, made it 94-85 with 5:05 left. Still, the Heat struggled until the end against the Nets, who have won just twice since Christmas.
"We just play them with a fresh start and not even think about the other games," guard Rodney McGruder said. "Just control what we can control."
The Heat played their second straight game without third-leading scorer Dion Waiters, who is out with an ankle sprain. That left more of a load on Dragic and Hassan Whiteside. While Dragic asserted himself early, Whiteside was a late arrival. He finished with eight points and nine rebounds but the void was filled by James Johnson.
It was just the second time he scored at least 20 points in consecutive games. He had 20 in Wednesday's 106-88 victory at Milwaukee.
Despite the strong finish, it took the Heat nearly a quarter and a half before awakening. Both teams struggled through a sloppily played first quarter, with the Nets looking like the worst team in the Eastern Conference and the Heat conjuring memories of their 11-30 start.
The Nets led by as many as eight until the Heat got going midway through the second quarter. Trailing 46-40, the Heat went on a 7-2 run to pull within a point on guard Dragic's short jumper with 2 minutes, 9 seconds remaining in the half. They had a chance to regain the lead but McGruder missed an open 3-pointer from the corner.
