Wade, Heat even series with Nets

Wade hit 12-of-19 shots, including 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, for the Heat, who evened this series at a game apiece with Game 3 scheduled for Friday in New Jersey.

Shaquille O’Neal added 21 points and six rebounds for Miami, which rebounded from their 100-88 setback in Game 1 in dominating fashion. The Heat, who never trailed, hit 52.7 percent of their shots from the floor, draining 11-of-20 from three, and led by at least 20 points nearly the entire contest.

Vince Carter scored 22 points to lead the Nets, who still hold homecourt advantage despite the setback.

Richard Jefferson, who was listed as doubtful with an ankle sprain, not only played, but scored 16 points in over 32 minutes of action. He didn’t appear to be too hampered by the injury. He didn’t wear a brace and only had his ankle taped. He left the arena after Game 1 in a boot.

Miami scored the first seven points of the contest and led 25-4 by the midway point of the opening quarter. Wade had 13 points during the early run, which was capped by a Udonis Haslem basket with 6 1/2 left in the stanza.

Wade finished the first quarter with 17 points, as the Heat carried a 41-19 cushion into the second frame.

In the second, the Nets drew within 44-26 on a Jason Collins bucket, but the Heat didn’t let them get any closer and cruised into the locker room with a 60-40 cushion. The largest lead of the half was 25 points, 60-35, after a pair of Haslem free throws with 2:43 remaining.

New Jersey got within 79-64 courtesy of an 11-2 run late in the third quarter. Jefferson ended the surge with a basket, but that was as close as the Nets got the rest of the way. Miami went into the fourth with an 84-67 lead and extended to cushion to 27 points, 99-72, on an Alonzo Mourning basket three minutes into the stanza.

The Nets never cut the lead to under 20 points the rest of the way.

Game Notes

The Heat did not block a shot for the first time since January, 14, 2005 in a game at the LA Clippers. The club blocked at least one shot the entire 2005-06 campaign and in each of its playoff games. The last time the Heat did not block a shot in the postseason was April 24, 1992 at Chicago...Wade’s 17 first-quarter points are a franchise best for a first quarter...The 41 first- quarter points by the team is also a franchise best for any playoff quarter...Wade recorded his ninth career 30-point playoff game.