Wade leads Heat over Pacers

Jason Williams added 20 points and eight assists for the Heat, who won for the fifth time in six games. Alonzo Mourning chipped in with 14 points while Jason Kapono finished with 11.

Danny Granger scored 28 points for the Pacers, who dropped their third straight. Marquis Daniels tallied 23 points and Jermaine O’Neal notched 17 points and 10 boards for Indiana.

The Heat were expecting the return of Shaquille O’Neal but the center postponed his return for at least two more games. O’Neal has played in just four games this season after he tore cartilage in his left knee on November 12 versus Houston and had surgery a week later.

Meanwhile, the Pacers took to the hardwood shorthanded after trading Al Harrington, Stephen Jackson, Sarunas Jasikevicius and Josh Powell to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday for Troy Murphy, Mike Dunleavy, Ike Diogu and Keith McLeod. None of the new Pacers were in uniform for the contest.

Miami took a slim 23-22 edge after the opening 12 minutes and extended its advantage to 55-49 at intermission.

The Heat then grabbed control of the game with a dominant third quarter. Williams scored 12 points in the frame as Miami outscored the Pacers 30-21 to take a 15-point cushion, 85-70, in the fourth.

The Heat continued to hold Indiana at arm’s length as the game headed toward the stretch. But, the Pacers had one last run in them. Jeff Foster capped a 10-0 burst with a three-point play and Indiana was down by just four, 98-94, with 1:31 left.

Williams finally stopped the bleeding by drilling a jumper 21 seconds later.

The Pacers refused to go away, however, and kept chipping away. Shawne Williams drained a three from the left wing, with 13 ticks left, to make it 102-101.

Wade then got loose, went to the hoop and threw the ball up thinking he drew contact. The whistles were silent but the All-Star made the shot, making it a 104-101 game.

Indiana had a chance to deadlock things on the ensuing possession but Granger’s three from the top hit the front of the iron.

Game Notes

The Heat are now 9-9 at home this season...Foster finished with 14 points...The Heat finished a dismal 1-of-10 from long range.