Wade’s hot hand leads Heat over Celtics

Shaquille O’Neal added 21 points and Udonis Haslem had 17 for the Heat, who rebounded from a setback to the New Jersey Nets on Saturday to win for the fifth time in six outings.

Antoine Walker recorded 12 points and seven rebounds against his former club, as Miami shot a blistering 50.6 percent from the field, committed just seven turnovers and used a 21-8 run that bridged the final two quarters to take control.

Paul Pierce had 31 points to lead Boston, which has dropped six straight contests. Raef LaFrentz added 18 points for the Celtics, who last found the win column on January 27.

After Boston drew within 77-74 on a pair of Pierce free throws with 1:45 left in the third quarter, Miami took control.

Wade scored the final six points, all from the free throw line, of the stanza to give the Heat an 83-74 advantage going into the fourth.

"I thought that was the difference," said Boston head coach Doc Rivers. "We missed a quick shot then he made six in a row and that gets it to nine. You hate them making a run at the end of a quarter because you have to sub and it just gets worse from there."

Wade continued his hot hand in the fourth, converting another basket for eight straight points during an eventual 10-0 surge. Walker ended the spurt with a basket for an 87-74 cushion.

Boston scored the next four points to make it an 87-78 contest, but the Heat responded with 15-4 run to put the game well out of reach. Alonzo Mourning and O’Neal combined for nine of the points during the burst, which was capped by a Wade dunk with 4:59 remaining for a 102-82 advantage.

"When we are in the penalty, you have to go to him as much as you can," said Miami head coach Pat Riley of Wade. "We kept trying to call his number."

Wally Szczerbiak had 16 points for the Celtics, who have dropped seven straight on the road.

Miami led 32-26 after one quarter and carried a 55-41 cushion into the halftime.

Game Notes

Brian Scalabrine had 10 points off the bench for the Celtics...Every Miami player that saw time scored at least two points...Boston is just 1-6 since acquiring Szczerbiak from Minnesota...Boston shot 41.1 percent from the field...Miami improved to 17-6 at home...The Celtics fell to 4-20 on the road.