Final
Wade's all-around performance carries Heat past Bucks
Feb 4, 2007 - 5:57 AM MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- Dwyane Wade's jersey was resting in the rafters, so he decided to play like it was a home game.Wade collected 32 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds as the Miami Heat posted a 117-98 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, who dropped their fourth straight game.
Earlier Saturday, Wade became the ninth player in Marquette history to have his number retired. He played two seasons for the Golden Eagles before the Heat picked him fifth overall in the 2003 NBA Draft.
"This day was very special to me and my family," Wade said. "(Saturday) was a win-win. "Marquette won, the Heat won, and I got my jersey retired. It was a great day."
"It's an honor well-deserved, he's a very unselfish player," Miami All-Star center Shaquille O'Neal said. "We got out there and had a lot of highlights together."
A three-time All-Star, Wade poured in 13 third-quarter points as Miami outscored Milwaukee by 16 points to take a 90-78 lead into the final period.
"(Wade's) the greatest guard I've ever played with and I've played with a lot of great ones," O'Neal said.
Miami scored a season-high 41 points in the third quarter.
"We grabbed hold of the game in the third quarter," Heat coach Ron Rothstein said. "We were very efficient in the quarter and that's what it's all about."
Milwaukee pulled within 97-91 when Ruben Patterson fed Charlie Villanueva for a two-handed jam with 8:09 remaining, capping a 13-7 surge.
However, Wade had his hand in seven points during an impressive 12-3 run to help Miami rebuild a double-digit lead, coasting thereafter.
"(Wade's) my third pupil and he's the best of them all," O'Neal said. "It's my job to make him better and better and I think I've been able to do that since I've been here."
Jason Kapono scored a career-high 28 points and O'Neal added 20 for the Heat, who shot 54 percent (45-of-83) from the floor and forced 18 turnovers.
"(Kapono) has had some stretches where he's been on fire," Rothstein said. "He's a great catch and shoot player so it's not that surprising."
It was O'Neal's first 20-point game since returning from knee surgery.
"I had a terrible first half so I had to come out in the second half and get us going, just try to help out and do different things," O'Neal said.
Mo Williams had a career-high 38 points and seven assists for the Bucks, who are expected to have injured leading scorer Michael Redd back in the lineup for Tuesday's matchup vs. Orlando.
"I'm frustrated, it's really not any fun right now," Williams said. "I should be celebrating but I'm not even thinking about the 38."
"Losing is definitely frustrating and not being able to string together four quarters, it's been a rough road so far," Bucks coach Terry Stotts said.
- NBA
MIAMI 117
MILWAUKEE 98 FINAL
Feb 3 11:00 PM - NBA
MIAMI 90
MILWAUKEE 78 END, 3RD QTR
Feb 3 10:26 PM - NBA
MIAMI 49
MILWAUKEE 53 HALFTIME
Feb 3 9:42 PM - NBA
MIAMI 22
MILWAUKEE 22 END, 1ST QTR
Feb 3 9:10 PM
Related News
- Shaquille O’Neal To Be First To Have Jersey Retired by Magic Jan 4
- LeBron James Has Been At His Best for Many Birthdays Dec 29
- Bucks vs. Knicks: A holiday disaster Dec 26
- Rapid Recap: Bucks 122, Knicks 129 Dec 25
- Bucks vs. Knicks: Game Thread Dec 25
- Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks Preview: Christmas Deja Vu Dec 25
- Monday Morning Media Roundup: When A Plan Comes Together Dec 25
- Bucks vs. Knicks: Bobbying for Apples Dec 24
- Rapid Recap: Bucks 130, Knicks 111 Dec 23
- Bucks vs. Knicks: Game Thread Dec 23
- Milwaukee Bucks vs. NewYork Knicks Preview: On The Road Again Dec 23
- Bucks Tracking Poll Results: Week 8 Dec 22