Wade’s last-second shot lifts Heat over Hornets

With the Hornets going scoreless for over five minutes, Miami went on an 11-0 run capped by a James Posey free throw with 25.1 seconds left. Chris Paul then tied the score at 99 on a layup with 18.1 seconds on the clock.

On the ensuing possession, Wade backed his way down toward the lane, backstepped, then kissed the ball off the glass with 1.3 seconds left for the game-winner. Paul inbounded the ball to Jannero Pargo, who heaved a desperation three that missed everything to preserve the win for Miami.

Wade posted 29 points, nine assists, five rebounds and four steals for the Heat, who have split their last six games. Udonis Haslem posted 16 points and seven boards. Jason Williams and Posey both added 15, and Alonzo Mourning had 11 points, 10 rebounds and seven blocked shots.

Paul notched 26 points, eight assists and six rebounds for the Hornets, who have lost 10 of their last 12 games. Rasual Butler posted 21 points and eight boards, and Pargo had 14 points and six assists. Desmond Mason and Tyson Chandler both added 10 points.

On the injury front for the Hornets, forward Peja Stojakovic had lower back surgery to remove a disc fragment on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Hornets also announced that forward David West will have arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow Wednesday.

Miami went on a 10-2 run midway through the first capped by a Haslem slam with 5:38 remaining, and led 33-26 heading into the second. That total was its season high for points scored in a quarter.

The Hornets closed the second on a 19-5 burst capped a Paul three-pointer at the buzzer to take a 63-54 lead into halftime.

After Butler opened the second half with a jumper, Miami went on a 12-2 run capped by a Williams layup with a tick over six minutes left. The Heat trailed 82-79 heading into the final stanza, in which they outscored the Hornets 22-17 to win the comeback.

Game Notes

Miami coach Pat Riley snapped his nine-game losing streak to the Hornets dating back to 2001...The Hornets beat Miami by a 101-86 score on November 21 this season and have won 10 of the last 17 meetings...New Orleans/Oklahoma City has dropped five in a row and eight of its last 12 games in South Beach