The Heat is on; Miami tops New Jersey to win 8th straight

Shaquille O’Neal finished with 19 points and seven boards for the Heat, who pulled within one-half game of the Washington Wizards in the Southeast Division. Jason Williams scored 13 points and tallied 12 assists for Miami. The Heat have managed to go 10-8 this season without Dwyane Wade, who continues to recover from a separated shoulder.

Richard Jefferson scored 20 points for the Nets, who have lost six of eight. Vince Carter scored 12 points, and Jason Kidd finished with 14 assists, 10 boards, and nine points for Miami.

Miami held an 86-75 lead late in the fourth quarter, but the Nets ran off nine straight to make things interesting. A Jefferson three closed the run, pulling the Nets to within 86-84 with 1:26 remaining.

O’Neal answered with a baby hook on the next possession, though, and after Kidd airballed a three on the Nets’ ensuing trip, Haslem hit two free throws to put the Heat up 90-84 with 48 seconds left. James Posey made three free throws down the stretch to ice the win for Miami.

A Jefferson layup at the 10 minute mark of the third quarter posted New Jersey to a 51-47 lead. Two Haslem layups sparked a 15-2 run, capped by an O’Neal dunk to put the Heat up 62-53 with 3:26 left in the quarter. Miami led 68-60 entering the final 12 minutes of play.

The Heat opened with a 10-1 run, and the Nets didn’t make a field goal until Carter sank a jumper at the 8:40 mark to make it 10-3. Kidd followed that shot with back-to-back threes, though, and New Jersey only trailed 10-9. Miami led 23-19 after the first quarter.

The teams traded shots in the second quarter, and a Bostjan Nachbar trey sent the Nets into the break holding a 45-43 advantage.

Game Notes

The Heat took the season series 3-1...Miami has won 9 of 13...The Heat improved to 27-2 when leading after three quarters...New Jersey fell to 8-28 when scoring under 100.