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 The Wizards, another team dealing with injuries and losses, showed
no sympathy.
Guard John Wall had 18 points and 10 assists, guard Bradley Beal
also scored 18 as the Washington Wizards snapped a recent home funk
with a 106-87 win over the Miami Heat Wednesday night.
Washington (20-21) snapped a two-game slide. The Wizards had lost
five of six home games starting with a 97-75 debacle against Miami
on Jan. 3.
Soon after that impressive win, things turned south for the South
Florida squad. Miami (23-20) has lost three straight and six of
seven.
Forward Chris Bosh led Miami with 18 points against Washington.
Before reporters could ask a question postgame, Bosh tried breaking
the tension.
"Somebody get a violin before you ask a question," he joked after
the first stop on Miami's five-game road trip. "Get a nice little
medley going in A-minor. A-minor is a sad note, right?
The Wizards offense harmonized beautifully as six players scored in
double figures, including forward Nene, who had 16 points and a
season-high with five steals. Center Marcin Gortat finished with 15
points and 12 rebounds.
Washington never trailed, outscored Miami 25-15 in the second
quarter for a 51-37 halftime lead and put the game away with a 15-4
run in the second half for its largest lead at 92-68.
"The biggest thing we wanted to do was come out with energy," Beal
said. "The past couple of games here we gave (games) away at home
because we come out real slow, sluggish. It's kind of been a trend
all year and we're trying to break it. We did a great job tonight of
just being aggressive from the start and doing it throughout the
game."
Wade joined the quartet of injured players, including forward Josh
McRoberts (bruised right knee), that sat out against the Bucks. The
veteran guard sat out with a sore shoulder after playing in
Tuesday's 91-79 home loss against the Milwaukee Bucks while Dragic
(calf strain) missed his fifth straight game.
Whiteside left in the second quarter with an oblique injury and did
not return. Deng was inadvertently poked in the eye late in the
game.
"Our trainers will be busy," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "We
have everybody on staff with us for a reason. They won't have a day
of but the rest of the group will."
Four Wizards, including small forward Otto Porter (hip) were
unavailable. Washington leads the NBA in missed games due to injury.
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The Wizards lead the season series 2-1.
Miami shot 48.5 percent from the field. Without their primary ball
handlers, the Heat committed 21 turnovers -- 16 in the first half --
which the Wizards turned into 27 points. Deng had 16 points and
guard Tyler Johnson added 14.
The Heat pulled within five during the third quarter, but the
Wizards avoided another home setback.
"That is something we have to be proud of," Beal said. "That's a
stride that we made.
Whiteside's defense keyed the victory earlier this month. Without
the 7-footer around most of the game, Washington shot 52.3 percent
from the field and scored 46 points in the paint. Guard Garrett
Temple scored 11 points and forward Jared Dudley had 10 off the
bench.
Nene made his first start of the season alongside Gortat. The big
man combo countered the Bosh-Whiteside tandem that hurt Washington
in the previous meeting.
"I thought Nene was aggressive," Wittman said.
Amar'e Stoudemire replaced Whiteside at center starting the second
half. He scored a season-high 11 points. With the injuries piling
up, Miami might need more from Stoudemire and others in the next
game.
"This train keeps on going," Spoelstra said. "Nobody is waiting for
us. We don't expect anybody to wait for us."
NOTES: The Wizards entered Wednesday last in opponents' field-goal
percentage (47.3) and 3-point percentage (40.1) at home. ... Miami
played without F Chris Andersen (knee) and G Beno Udrih (neck
strain). ... Wizards F Kris Humphries (sore right knee) missed his
ninth straight game. ... Washington won 114-103 in Miami on Dec. 7.
... The series wraps up Feb. 20 in Miami. ... The Heat visit Toronto
on Friday. The Heat and Raptors split two previous games this
season, both in Miami. ... Washington plays host to the Utah Jazz on
Saturday in the fourth of five straight home games.
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