Jones sank eight 3-pointers and scored 31 points - both career highs - as the Heat cruised to a 113-95 victory over the struggling Los Angeles Clippers, who have lost a season-high seven consecutive games.
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"You could say (tonight) was a statement," Jones said. "I feel I should be there, but I wasn't trying to go out and prove anything in particular tonight."
"Damon was on fire tonight," Heat coach Stan Van Gundy said. "That was a pretty good shooting display. It was incredible." Owners of the best record in the Eastern Conference, Miami (40-14) has won seven in a row and 10 of its last 11. Last season, the Heat did not win their 40th game until April 9 and finished 42-40.
"We've put together two good games now after playing a really bad game in Charlotte last week, so that's the barometer; not whether we should have won this many or that many," Van Gundy said. "As a coach, I would like to be 54-0, but you have to look at things realistically."
"We're first in the East and that's where we wanted to be at the Break," Miami All-Star Dwyane Wade said. "We look at where we are in the standings and are a pretty pleased with the way things are going."
Miami never trailed after the latter stages of the first quarter as Jones nailed three shots from the arc in the last two minutes, helping to turn a three-point deficit into a 28-20 lead.
"I felt good when I made those first three in the first quarter," Jones said. "Then I locked and loaded and got totally focused in I had some very good looks."
The Heat led by double digits for most of the final three quarters and put the game out of reach in the third period, when Jones scored 12 points on four 3-pointers and Wade added 11 of his 28 points.
"I'm not here to win scoring titles; I'm here to help this team win games," Jones said. "The ball was just going in for me tonight."
"We were worried about Shaq (Shaquille O'Neal) in the post so we converged on him," Clippers forward Elton Brand said. "That left (Jones) some open shots and he knocked them down."
Wade also dished out 12 assists and blocked a career-high four shots. O'Neal, the Heat's other All-Star, collected 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
"I played a complete game tonight at both ends," Wade said. "I just came out really focused and I felt like I was getting into the flow and making plays."
"I thought Dwyane was absolutely fabulous. It might have been the best game he's played all year," Van Gundy said. "He attacked when he should have attacked, shots his shots on balance and made great plays."
Corey Maggette scored 23 points and Brand added 18 and 13 rebounds for the Clippers, who fell to 1-7 on their nine-game road swing.
"We've got to stay positive," Maggette said. "It's been a long season. We need to get some rest and come back focused."
Los Angeles has been decimated by injuries all season, especially at point guard. Rookie Shaun Livingston was activated from the injured list Sunday after missing nearly three months with a knee injury. He may have to go back after hurting his shoulder against Orlando on Tuesday.
Marko Jaric was not with the team after aggravating a stress fracture that kept him out of action for 2 1/2 weeks in January.
"We are doing the best that we can do with the situation that we have been dealt," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "The injuries have been a disaster for this team."
