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Heat rally late to notch 12th straight win

Dec 19, 2010 - 4:52 AM Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Dwyane Wade drained two free throws with 7.9 seconds left and Miami won its 12th straight game, 95-94, over the Wizards.

Wade was 0-for-6 from the field in the final quarter and the Heat trailed by five with under a minute left, but took advantage of numerous mistakes by the Wizards, on a day they traded away their top scorer.

Earlier Saturday, the Wizards dealt Gilbert Arenas, a three-time All-Star guard to Orlando for forward Rashard Lewis. Arenas leaves after spending seven-plus seasons with the Wizards, during which he compiled averages of 25 points and 5.7 assists in 357 games. However, he will be also remembered for his 50-game suspension last season in the wake of an incident involving guns in the Wizards locker room.

LeBron James led the way with 32 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Heat, who are two wins shy of a franchise-record for the longest streak, set December 6, 2004 - January 1, 2005. Wade tallied 20 points. Chris Bosh contributed 12 of his 20 points in the final quarter and totaled nine rebounds, but also accounted for seven of his team's 17 turnovers.

"In order to have streaks like this, you've got to have games like this," James said. "You're going to have games where it looks like you're not even supposed to win."

Nick Young had 30 points to pace the Wizards, losers of seven straight. Andray Blatche added 20 points and 12 rebounds for Washington, which committed seven turnovers in the final quarter.

"It's tough to go through key disappointments like that," Young said. "Thinking you had the game won, up four with 18 seconds left, to see the game slip away, it's tough."

Kirk Hinrich, who had 13 points and 12 assists for the Wizards, fed Josh Howard for a lane jumper and a 91-86 Washington lead with 32.6 seconds left. Howard, who missed the first 24 games with a torn ligament in his left knee, had 13 points in his season debut. However, No. 1 overall draft pick John Wall missed the game with right knee tendinitis.

Bosh then drilled a three-pointer before Howard countered by going 2-of-4 from the foul line. The second two attempts came after he was fouled after getting his own rebound off a missed free throw.

Bosh went 2-of-3 at the charity stripe with 16.8 seconds left after being fouled by Blatche, getting the Heat within two points. The Wizards then turned the ball over on the ensuing inbounds pass, as a falling Young was unable to hold onto the ball in the left corner. Young then fouled James Jones, who drained both free throws with 13.6 seconds to go, tying the game at 93 to set up the dramatic finish.

Hinrich went 1-of-2 at the foul line with 12.6 seconds left, but Blatche fouled Wade as he drove to the basket. After giving Miami the lead, Wade sewed up the win with a brilliant defensive play. Hinrich dribbled to the hoop, but was met by Bosh. Hinrich lost the ball, which caromed high in the air near end line. Wade kept his balance for the save and fired the ball into mid air to run out the clock.

The Wizards scored nine in a row in the first quarter to stretch the lead to 25-15 before the Heat trimmed the margin to six after 12 minutes.

Miami then scored nine straight in the second for a 44-43 edge following a jam by James with 2 1/2 minutes left. The Wizards led 47-46 at the half and it was tight for most of the third quarter. Blatche's jumper in the final second gave the hosts a 74-72 edge moving to the fourth. Washington led by as many as eight in the last period.

Game Notes

Miami has won three straight and nine of the last 10 meetings...The Heat had nine blocked shots and have now blocked at least one shot in 238 straight games, tying the longest streak in franchise history, also set from March 30, 1997 - November 24, 2000...The Heat have also won seven in a row on the road...The Heat host Dallas on Monday.