NBA Game Summary - Phoenix at Miami

Miami, FL (Basketball News) - Dwyane Wade finished with 35 points, nine assists and seven rebounds and Shaquille O’Neal added 25 points and eight rebounds to lead the Miami Heat to a 125-115 victory over the Phoenix Suns at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Eddie Jones posted 23 points and eight rebounds for the Heat, who clinched the Southeast Division with the victory while winning for the 13th time in 14 games. Miami (53-17) also moved one-game ahead of Phoenix (51-17) for the best record in the NBA.

Keyon Dooling added 12 points in the victory and Shandon Anderson had 10.

Quentin Richardson paced the Suns with 26 points and Amare Stoudemire recorded 25 points and seven rebounds. Steve Nash notched 19 points and 14 assists for Phoenix, which had its three-game winning streak halted and lost for just the third time in 11 games.

Leandro Barbosa netted 18 points in the loss, while Shawn Marion chipped in 15 points and 11 rebounds. The Suns are now just one-half game ahead of San Antonio for the Western Conference lead after the Spurs defeated Atlanta on Friday.

The Heat, who never trailed in the game, jumped out to a 22-4 lead and held a 34-21 cushion after one quarter of play.

Phoenix was able to cut the deficit to 50-49 late in the second quarter, but the Heat held off the charge and carried a 60-54 edge into the locker room.

The Suns evened the score at 71-71 on a Stoudemire free throw with 7:11 left in the third. However, the Heat responded with a 14-4 explosion to regain their double-digit lead. Miami would head into the final quarter with a 94-82 advantage.

Phoenix would never seriously threaten in the fourth quarter and the Heat cruised to the easy win.