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Heat seek revenge against Spurs

Mar 14, 2011 - 3:07 PM (Sports Network) - It's difficult for a team to forget about an embarrassing 30-point loss and move on, but that's exactly what the Miami Heat had to do after getting slaughtered by the San Antonio Spurs earlier this month.

The Spurs were in the midst of a stunning home winning streak when they trounced Miami, 125-95, back on March 4 in the Alamo City. Tony Parker made a surprise return from an ankle injury to score 15 points. leading eight different players in double-digit scoring. Heat superstar LeBron James had 26 points in that one and will shoot for even better results tonight versus San Antonio in south Florida.

San Antonio has won four straight and 15 of the previous 18 matchups with the Heat, and is unbeaten in the past three contests at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Miami opened a six-game homestand after the first loss to the Spurs, dropping the first two tests to Chicago and Portland, before ending a five-game losing streak with a 94-88 win over the two-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers. The momentum carried over into Saturday's 118-85 blowout of Memphis, as Dwyane Wade was busy with 28 points, nine assists and five blocks. James netted 27 points and Chris Bosh posted 18 and 10 boards for the Heat, who are 24-9 at home this season.

"My philosophy right now is do not let go of this rope," Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said. "We have to keep moving forward and build these habits. We understand we need to get better, and part of that is mental resiliency and mental toughness."

The Heat are third in the Eastern Conference standings -- three games behind Boston for the top seed. Chicago is only a half-game in back of the Celtics. Miami will also host Oklahoma City on the residency.

Wade is six three-pointers away from tying Jason Williams (304) for sixth in team history and became the first player in Heat history to play 20,000 minutes with the club. Miami center Zydrunas Ilgauskas is doubtful for Monday with a foot ailment.

San Antonio is an NBA-best 54-12 on the season and is aiming for its first 60- win campaign since going 63-19 in 2005-06. It has reached the 60-win mark just three times since the 1994-95 season.

The Spurs will resume a three-game road trip which started with Saturday's 115-107 victory over the Southwest Division-rival Houston Rockets. Parker posted 21 points to again lead eight other players in double figures, as Manu Ginobili added 19 points, George Hill and DeJuan Blair scored 14 apiece and Antonio McDyess finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Tim Duncan scored 11 points, while Richard Jefferson and Gary Neal each recorded 10 for the Spurs, winners in three straight and 14 of 18 games.

"We were fortunate to get out of here with a win," said San Antonio head coach Gregg Popovich.

Popovich's squad will also visit rival Dallas and is 23-9 away from the AT&T Center in 2010-11. The Spurs have a comfortable seven-game lead over the Mavericks for bragging rights in the Western Conference.