Heat Check: Crucial home victory pushes Miami back into playoff position
MIAMI -- Featuring a balanced attack and a huge performance from Chris Andersen, the Miami Heat completed their season sweep of the Brooklyn Nets with a 104-98 win Wednesday at AmericanAirlines Arena.
The return of Goran Dragic (17 points, three assists) to the lineup after a two-game absence helped steady the team alongside Dwyane Wade, who led all players with 28 points and nine assists. Miami featured its 27th different lineup of the season with the absence of Hassan Whiteside due to suspension.
The first half featured a near-flawless performance by the Heat, as they maintained a double-digit lead by shooting better than 50 percent from the field and limiting their turnovers. Wade was aggressive early and attacked the rim for 13 points in the first half but also got his teammates going with six assists.
"You can go to him any time of the game," Dragic said. "Even if he misses three or four straight, he's confident enough to finish the job. That's why he's an All-Star. You can count on him when you need him the most. He demonstrated that in the last few games."
Their 34 points through the first 12 minutes of the game was their second-highest total in the first quarter this season, and their two turnovers represented a season-low for a half.
Miami began the second half shooting 2 of 10 from the field but recovered by continuing to force turnovers and scoring in transition. They used a balanced attack to get buckets inside the paint with Dragic and Wade controlling the pace of the game. Brooklyn got as close to six points midway through the third quarter before the Heat went on a 11-2 run to safely restore their double-digit lead entering the final quarter.
With the victory, the Heat move back into the eighth and playoff spot in the East after the Charlotte Hornets loss to the Sacramento Kings.
"We had to come in here today with no matter what style of basketball and just find a way to get it," Wade said.
THE TURNING POINT
The Nets were still a threat down the stretch before Mario Chalmers iced the game with a 3-pointer to put Miami up by eight points with 41 seconds left.
THE DIFFERENCE MAKER
Andersen, who was a game-time decision, did his best impersonation of Whiteside with 18 points and a season-high 14 rebounds.
STAT OF THE GAME
The teams combined to make 67.5 percent of their free throws and 31.5 percent of their 3-pointers.
WHAT'S NEXT
Miami will visit the Toronto Raptors on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
You can follow Surya Fernandez on Twitter @SuryaHeatNBA or email him at SuryaFoxSports@gmail.com.
