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Wade, Heat snap skid with rout of Clippers

Feb 3, 2009 - 5:17 AM MIAMI (Ticker) -- Dwyane Wade wasn't about to let the Miami Heat's losing streak last another day.

The All-Star guard registered 32 points and nine assists to put an end to the Heat's two-game skid, as they outlasted the Los Angeles Clippers, 119-95, on Monday.

With the win, the Heat avoided what would have been their second three-game losing streak of the season.

"In the NBA, you have to have a short memory," Wade said. "We lost two games. You have to have a short memory and move on. We have to move on from this game and go into Detroit and play against a tough team."

Despite facing a team riding its own five-game skid, the Heat didn't always have it easy. The Clippers were within three midway through the second quarter before Miami turned it on, answering back with an 8-2 spurt to extend its advantage to 47-38. Los Angeles was back to within six with less than a minute to play, but the Heat scored the final five points of the half to make it a 58-47 game.

It was more of the same after the break. The Clippers refused to lay down, staging an 8-0 run to cut their deficit to 77-70. But Wade took the game into his hands from then on. The former Finals MVP cut through the Clippers' soft interior for a layup, then buried a 3-pointer moments later to turn the momentum back in Miami's favor.

Though not typically known for his long-range shooting, Wade pulled up for another three later in the quarter to give the Heat an 87-73 advantage. He finished 10-of-17 from the floor and 10-of-12 from the free-throw line.

"It was a good one," Wade said. "We put some stops together and moved the ball. We had 27 assists tonight. That was one of our goals, to get 20 assists or more."

Rookie forward Michael Beasley added 18 points and seven boards off the bench for the Heat.

Zach Randolph returned to the Clippers after missing more than a month with a bruised left knee. Coming off the bench, he provided the offense in this one, leading the team with 21 points.

"Unfortunately, we got down at the half and I used up all (Randolph's) minutes starting him in the second half to try to make a run at getting us back in the ball game," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "It did the trick, but then I had to start pulling guys because their time limit is up."

The rest of L.A.'s weapons had a rough go of it. Emerging rookie Eric Gordon got into foul trouble and finished just 3-of-10 from the field for 12 points, while Baron Davis was just 3-of-11 for nine points.

"That's a team that's going through a tough time," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "They're starting to get their guys back. When they're fully healthy, that's a talented team."

The Heat welcomed their own injured star back, as Shawn Marion returned to the lineup after missing five games with a strained left groin. He came off the bench and finished with 11 points and seven boards in 30 minutes on the floor.

"I felt pretty good out there," Marion said. "I felt better than I expected to feel. It's about getting my rhythm. There was a lot of little easy shots that I usually hit. I responded well. My wind felt good, better than expected."