Rising Heat take on Wizards in South Beach
03.8.2006
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This is the third meeting of the campaign between the Southeast Division rivals. The Heat defeated the Wizards on December 11th at home and on December 30th at Washington.
The Heat have won 10 straight in this series, while Washington has lost five straight and seven of its last eight at Miami.
The last time Washington defeated the Heat was on April 11, 2003.
Washington is scheduled to host the Heat on April 8th at the Verizon Center in the fourth and final meeting of the regular season between the clubs.
Miami, seeded No. 2 in the East, opens a five-game homestand this evening. On Monday, Shaquille O’Neal scored a season-high 35 points, including all of Miami’s points in overtime, as the Heat rallied on the road to knock off the Charlotte Bobcats, 106-105.
O’Neal, who celebrated his 34th birthday on Monday, scored 27 of his points after halftime and grabbed 12 boards to pace the Heat to their season-high ninth consecutive victory. Miami won despite playing without All-Star guard Dwyane Wade, who sat out with a sprained right wrist.
Jason Williams scored 24 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, while Udonis Haslem tallied 16 points and 13 rebounds in the win over Charlotte for the Heat.
Wade is questionable for tonight’s game. He leads the team in scoring (27.3 ppg) and assists (6.8 apg).
The Heat are an impressive 22-6 at home this season. They will also host Golden State, Cleveland, Utah and Boston on the current homestand.
Meanwhile, the Wizards have lost four of their last five games, including Tuesday’s heart-breaking loss in overtime to the Boston Celtics. Paul Pierce sank a buzzer-beating jump shot in OT for the 116-115 triumph.
Gilbert Arenas recorded a game-high 39 points and still managed five assists for Washington, which blew a 13-point fourth quarter lead to fall for the fourth time in its last five outings.
The sixth-seeded Wizards will now take their game to South Beach and are 1-6 in their last seven road tilts.
Washington owns just a 9-18 road mark this season.
Miami Heat 
Washington Wizards 
