The Miami Heat came into its Christmas Day meeting with the New York Knicks as winners of three of its last four games. Unfortunately, it faced a Knicks team that was on a three-game winning streak. However, Dwyane Wade took over the game in the game’s closing minutes, helping the Heat stave off a Knicks rally to win 93-87.
After a first half in which both teams shot poorly, Miami led most of the second half in the six-to-ten point range. With five minutes and 47 seconds left in the game, Wade knocked down a jumper with Wilson Chandler right in his face, extending the Heat’s lead to 77-67. A little more than two minutes later, Wade drove right in the lane for a vicious one-handed dunk to keep Miami’s lead at 10, 81-71. But the Knicks had one last run left in. Danilo Gallinari’s three-pointer with 2:05 left made it 83-78. On New York’s next possession, David Lee posted up Wade on the block and made a soft hook shot that trimmed the Heat lead to 83-80.
AP Photo/Kathy Willens
Miami called a timeout to regroup. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra set up a play in which Wade would drive to the rim and kick it out to former Knick Quentin Richardson on the baseline for the three. Miami executed the play well, but Richardson’s attempt clanked off the rim. Jermaine O’Neal snatched the offensive rebound, though. After the Heat set up a new play, Wade found O’Neal for a 15-footer that clanked the rim and touched the backboard before falling through the hoop. The Knicks came up empty on its ensuing possession, and Haslem, Wade and Chalmers made eight free throws in the final 37 seconds of play to secure the win.
Wade played very well, showcasing his entire offensive repertoire. He calmly sunk jumpers, even making his first three-point attempt, but also drove to the rim frequently. The 6-foot-4 guard out of Marquette also played well on the other side of the court, trapping the 6-foot-9 Al Harrington into a 24-second violation during one third quarter sequence. Wade finished with 30 points on 11-of-21 shooting, nine rebounds, five assists and four steals.
Michael Beasley also brought his game, continuing to make strides in the second NBA season. He had 19 points on 7-of-16 shooting from the field and five-of-six shooting from the line. He, too, displayed the wide array of his offensive arsenal. Beasley’s jumper is still looking smooth, but he also received results when he drove to the rim.
O’Neal started and played 24 minutes Friday, despite suffering a groin injury in Wednesday’s win over Utah. He hooked up with Wade for two consecutive field goals during the second quarter and had a nice three-point play in the third quarter. It’s important not to forget O’Neal’s key offensive rebound and subsequent jumper is closing minute of the game. He finished with 11 points and eight rebounds.
Carlos Arroyo again got Miami in its offensive sets quickly, and had his moments. During one third quarter transition sequence, Arroyo delivered a no-look pass to a cutting Wade for an acrobatic layup. Udonis Haslem added 12 points and six rebounds. Dorell Wright was also active, snatching six rebounds in 17 minutes of play.
Spoelstra went to Daequan Cook when Wade went to the bench. Cook did not look for his shot, attempting only two shots in nine minutes of play. I’m sorry, but I keep remembering back to last season, when Cook’s confidence was sky-high and Spoelstra would bring him off of picks and curls for shots. Miami is committed to Cook in 2010-11, so it would be wise for Spoelstra to try to boost Cook’s confidence and make him a part of the rotation.
Despite Cook’s disappointments, this win puts the Heat three games above .500 for the first time since Dec. 1. Miami has also won four of its last five games. And to add a little bit more Holiday cheer for a Heat fan, Wade even insinuated that he would re-sign with Miami when he becomes a free agent in 2010.
“We’re 4-1 [on Christmas] right now and hopefully next year we can get another one,” he told ESPN’s Doris Burke in his post-game interview.
