WASHINGTON, March 24 — Dwyane Wade scored 11 of his team-high 20 points in the fourth quarter as the visiting Miami Heat defeated the Washington Wizards 113-108 last night.
Miami (36-37) is fighting to hold on to the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot, and this victory gave the Heat a one-game edge over idle Orlando (35-38). The two teams will meet Tuesday in Miami.
Wade went 5-for-7 from the field in the fourth quarter as Miami took charge of a game that swung back and forth throughout the first three periods. The veteran guard helped the Heat take a 109-99 lead late.
The Wizards then scored seven straight, but Tomas Satoransky missed a game-tying 3-pointer in the final 30 seconds, but Wade fed Kelly Olynyk for a dunk with 16.8 seconds left and a 111-106 lead.
Wade played in Washington for the last time, and the crowd gave him a huge ovation when he entered late in the first quarter.
Balanced scoring proved crucial for Miami as six players finished in double figures. Dion Waiters was right behind Wade with 19 points.
Miami’s Rodney McGruder (knee) and Justise Winslow (thigh) remained out of the lineup.
Jeff Green led Washington with a game-high 25 points.
In the first quarter, Miami hit some long shots early and jumped in front 19-12. The Wizards then slowly worked their way back and took a 27-25 lead after one quarter, with Thomas Bryant scoring seven points.
Green then gave Washington a lift off the bench in the second quarter. He got nine in just over four minutes to start the second period as the Wizards pushed their lead to 40-29.
The Heat closed the half on a 19-7 run that ended when Wade drilled a three-pointer with 6.9 seconds left. Washington held a 53-52 lead at the break.
The game went back and forth in the third quarter before a late rally by Washington put the Wizards in front 79-78 heading into the fourth period. — Reuters
