Wizards-Heat Preview

By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN
Posted Apr 20 2012 3:16PM

In the Miami Heat's last eight games, Dwyane Wade has sat out the four against opponents with losing records while playing four times against playoff teams.

If that pattern holds, Wade won't be on the court when the Heat look for a sixth straight win in a home matchup with the Washington Wizards on Saturday night.

Wade has missed 14 games this season with a variety of injuries, with Miami (45-17) winning 13 of them. He sat out recent victories over Detroit, Charlotte, New Jersey and Toronto.

He played against Boston, New York and Chicago twice in that eight-game stretch, returning from a two-game absence to score 18 points in an 83-72 home win over the Bulls on Thursday.

Miami pulled with 1 1/2 games of Chicago for the Eastern Conference's best record. If the Heat win their final four contests and the Bulls lose once, Miami will clinch the top seed.

"I just feel like you have to win on the road, no matter what, if you want to win a championship," Wade said. "So it really doesn't matter. When you're playing teams like the Bulls or you get to the finals, stuff like that, the teams are good. They can win anywhere. So it's not really as big a deal as people make it."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra also isn't concerned about the race for the No. 1 seed.

"We needed to address our consistency, our identity, make sure that we're playing at a high level going into the postseason," Spoelstra said. "That is, first and foremost, our priority. Obviously the standings are something that we're aware of. And when you have an opportunity to play for it, you do. But in terms of it being bigger than anything ... I think players have the proper perspective about it."

While Wade has been in and out of the lineup, LeBron James has been a model of consistency in missing only one game. The two-time MVP finished with 27 points, 11 rebounds and six assists Thursday.

Forward Chris Bosh has sat out two straight games with what Spoelstra described as "minor bumps and bruises."

Miami has two meetings left with Washington (16-46) after winning its sixth in a row in the series, 106-89 on Feb. 10. Wade scored 26 points and Bosh had 24 and 11 boards.

The Wizards have won two straight and four of six, beating Milwaukee 121-112 at home Wednesday. Jordan Crawford matched a season high with 32 points despite playing with an injured right ankle.

"I was sore but the trainers did a great job preparing me for the game," Crawford said. "I wanted to play."

Washington's last three wins have come against playoff teams Orlando and Chicago and playoff hopeful Milwaukee. The Wizards are enjoying the role of spoiler.

"I am proud of how these guys came out and really stood up to how these teams are playing," coach Randy Wittman said. "We have a couple more coming up against Miami that will obviously be important games."

Wade hurt as Heat lose to Wizards 86-84

By STEVEN WINE
Posted Apr 21 2012 11:20PM

MIAMI (AP) With the playoffs a week away, Dwyane Wade left the Miami Heat arena Saturday night with his swollen finger in a splint - and considered himself lucky.

Wade played less than 3 minutes before dislocating his left index finger but avoided serious injury as the Heat lost 86-84 to the woeful Washington Wizards.

A doctor reset Wade's finger, and X-rays were negative.

"I'm not going to cry about it," he said. "When I was sitting on the table before they could put it back in, the worst-case scenario was surgery, and the best-case scenario was this. Obviously it will be sore for a couple of days, but I'll be ready to go when the playoffs start, for sure."

The Heat fell two games behind the Chicago Bulls in the loss column in the race for the best record in the Eastern Conference, with only three games remaining.

"Second place is not a bad place to be," Wade said.

His injury was ironic because coach Erik Spoelstra has made getting healthy a priority late in the regular season. As a result, LeBron James sat out for only the second time this season Saturday, and Chris Bosh was also rested.

James was active but had been told he wouldn't play. When Wade departed, James got taped in preparation for entering the game.

"He was overzealous," Spoelstra said with a smile. "We quickly got him on the same page about it. ... You have to mentally prepare to play. That wasn't the situation for him to go in."

The Wizards' John Wall said he expected to see James take the court.

"I was thinking that the start of the second half he was going to come out and play," Wall said. "I'm not complaining. I'll take the win."

Nene took a feed from a driving Wall and banked in the winning layup for Washington with 0.5 seconds left.

"We don't underestimate any team because their stars are out," Wall said. "Everybody is here for a reason. They are in the NBA because they can play."

Wade was on defense when he appeared to get his finger caught in another player's jersey in the opening minutes. He immediately went to the locker room grimacing in pain.

"I looked down, and the knuckle was up and down," he said with a chuckle. "I've never had a dislocated finger before."

Fans later chanted "We want Dwyane!" but he never returned from the locker room. Without him, Miami lost for the first time in six games.

Cartier Martin scored 22 points for Washington. Wall had 13 points, 13 assists, six rebounds and four steals, and Kevin Seraphin scored 17 points for the Wizards, who outscored Miami 22-3 on fast-break points.

The Wizards have only 17 victories, but they have won five of their past seven games, beating both Chicago and Miami down the stretch.

Miami's Mike Miller led a second-half comeback and finished with his first double-double of the season, finishing with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Mario Chalmers also scored 16 points, and Udonis Haslem had a season-high 15 rebounds.

Without their stars, the Heat played poorly early and trailed 57-43 with 19 minutes left. They rallied to take their first lead of the game on Miller's follow shot at the start of the fourth quarter.

"This was a great game for the rest of the guys," Spoelstra said. "To be able to compete, the guys showed a lot of toughness, especially when we got down double digits, to find a different way and not have to rely on Dwyane and Chris and LeBron. There were some brilliant, tough plays on both ends."

Miller scored 10 consecutive Heat points - including back-to-back 3-pointers - to put them up 70-66. Washington responded with a 9-0 run capped by Maurice Evans' 3-pointer.

Wall drove and fed Nene for a dunk that put the Wizards ahead 84-82 with 46 seconds left. After a Washington turnover, Haslem dunked on a follow to make it 84-all with 4.2 seconds to go.

Another drive by Wall set up the winning basket. Afterward, he hugged James.

"I just told him good luck in the playoffs, and go get a championship," Wall said. "I know that's his goal. I'll probably be down here watching one of the playoff games down the road."

Notes: James had led the Heat in scoring for 12 consecutive games. ... The Heat fell to 8-3 when trailing at home after the first quarter. ... Washington's Jordan Crawford was 0 for 8 before he swished a shot from midcourt to beat the halftime buzzer and give Washington a 45-37 lead.

Notebook: Wizards 86, Heat 84

Posted Saturday April 21, 2012 10:56PM

By Shandel D. Richardson, for NBA.com

THE FACTS: The Washington Wizards defeated the Miami Heat 86-84 Saturday at AmericanAirlines Arena.

The Wizards scored the winning basket when Nene hit a layup with .5 seconds left after receiving a pass from guard John Wall. It was the Wizards' third straight victory.

The Heat played for the most part without Chris Bosh, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Bosh and James were held out for rest purposes while Wade left three minutes into the game after dislocating his left index finger. The loss means the Heat will have the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed in the playoffs.

Wall finished with 13 points 13 assists and six rebounds. Reserve guard Cartier Martin scored a game-high 22 points, including four 3-pointers.

The Heat were led by Mike Miller and Mario Chalmers, who each scored 16 points.

QUOTABLE: "It wasn't our finest offensive (performance) but we stuck in there. I thought our defense was pretty solid all night. We didn't collapse when we struggled to score points."
-- Wizards head coach Randy Wittman.

THE STAT: The Heat committed 22 turnovers that led to 27 points.

TURNING POINT: The Wizards built a 14-point, third-quarter lead and were able to off several charges by the Heat.

QUOTABLE II: "It's unfortunate that we were unable to find a way to come out with a win at the end because the group really competed and really got after it. They showed a lot of mental toughness and resolve ... It's a shame. You wanted those guys in the locker room to be able to finish it off."
-- Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra.

HOT: Martin shot 8 of 15 from the field, including 4 of 8 from 3-point range. He hit a big 3-pointer with 4:48 left in the game to put the Wizards ahead 78-74.

NOT: Chalmers and guard Norris Cole combined to shoot just 10-of-28 from the field, and neither were able to contain Wall on the defensive end.

GOOD MOVE: The Heat were entertaining the idea of playing James once Wade was lost for the game. James went to the locker room get taped, but Spoelstra decided against the move. No need in risking further injury.

BAD MOVE: It was another tough break for Wade, who has battled injuries throughout the season. The good news is the injury occurred on his non-shooting hand, but not the best of times to have to deal with something that could become nagging.

NOTABLE: Heat center Ronny Turiaf did not play for the sixth straight because of a hamstring injury. He is likely to miss remainder of regular season and return for the playoffs. Spoelstra said he expects Bosh to return at some point before the regular season ends.

UP NEXT: For the Heat, Sunday vs. Rockets, Tuesday @ Celtics, Thursday @ Wizards. For the Wizards, Monday vs. Bobcats, Wednesday vs. Cavs, Thursday vs. Heat.

• Wizards: Blatche, Lewis
• Heat: Bosh, Turiaf

• Wizards: Seraphin
• Heat: Haslem, Pittman

• Lead Changes: 4
• Times Tied: 4

• Arena: American Airlines Arena, Miami, FL
• Officials: #27 Dick Bavetta, #18 Matt Boland, #60 James Williams
• Attendance: 19722
• Duration: 2:17