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Wade, Heat top sluggish Hawks

Jan 27, 2009 - 4:29 AM By Christopher Stock PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MIAMI (Ticker) -- All-Star Dwyane Wade scored 35 points and the Miami Heat were able to hold off the Atlanta Hawks down the stretch to post a 95-79 victory on Monday.

Daequan Cook scored 16 points and rookie Mario Chalmers added 12 and six assists for Miami, which held Atlanta to a franchise-low 27 points in the first half and a season low in points for the game.

Wade, the NBA's leading scorer, had a very efficient night, as he made 13-of-19 shots from the floor and 9-of-10 from the free-throw line. He also had five rebounds and four assists.

"I am just out there free-styling, playing, and having fun," Wade said.

Atlanta struggled to start the game as it made just three of its first 19 shots from the floor and had 13 turnovers in the first 19 minutes. The Hawks also went over 13 minutes without a field goal.

"I think they missed a lot of open shots," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "They missed free throws they normally don't miss, so that helped. I think part of it was we had a sense of urgency. I think it was a combination of both."

During that span, Miami was able to build a commanding 33-17 lead and took a 46-27 advantage into halftime.

"We didn't come to play in the first two quarters," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. "Miami is playing at a high level and you can't spot them 20 points and expect to win. We were very lethargic to start the game."

The Heat led by as many as 22 points in the second half, but the Hawks cut the deficit to 64-57 on a basket by Ronald Murray with 10:20 left in the game.

"In the second half, I was just not happy with the way we tried to close out the game," Spoelstra said. "We were incredibly sloppy. We did not take care of the ball."

However, a 3-pointer by Cook and a three-point play by Chalmers would stretch the Heat's lead back to double digits, essentially sealing the win. Wade scored 10 of his points in the fourth quarter to also help Miami pull away.

"The main thing with Atlanta is that you want to keep them out of transition," Wade said. "Even though we had some turnovers, they weren't what led to transition baskets."

Joe Johnson led the Hawks with 19 points. Marvin Williams added 17 points while Josh Smith had 14 and 10 rebounds.

"We aren't playing together on either end of the court," Johnson said. "We are not making the extra pass and the ball doesn't move."