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Remarkable Wade helps Heat bring down Nets

Jan 4, 2009 - 5:09 AM By Christopher Stock PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MIAMI (Ticker) -- Dwyane Wade took over on both ends of the floor as the Miami Heat escaped with a 101-96 overtime victory over the New Jersey Nets on Saturday.

Wade posted a remarkable all-around effort, collecting 29 points, eight rebounds, six assists, three steals and four blocks - two of which came against 7-footer Brook Lopez.

"We had a pretty simple game plan for Dwyane on both ends of the floor," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. " ... Basically cover the whole court at 6-4 and, if it gets to Lopez, just meet him at the rim and then make or miss just come down and create some offense for us 1-on- 3 when they are trying to trap every single time down."

Despite that performance, the Nets had a chance to tie it in the waning seconds of the extra period, but Vince Carter's contested 3-pointer fell short with 2.6 ticks left. Carter had defeated the Atlanta Hawks at the overtime buzzer on Friday.

"It was tough (to get a good look)," Carter said. "When I caught it there were three guys there all jumping. It was a great defensive play and coaching call."

Wade engineered the decisive sequence in OT, swatting Lopez emphatically at the rim and hitting a difficult fadeaway over Carter on the other end to give Miami a 93-88 lead with 2:09 left.

"I'm 6-4 on a good day so I love having the ability to get up there and challenge big guys with block shots," Wade said. "At times, it doesn't always goes your way, but it's timely blocks is what it is all about."

"I've never seen someone block a shot like that," Heat swingman Yakhouba Diawara said. "I think Brook Lopez is going to be dreaming about Dwyane Wade tonight."

Wade then added a nifty three-point play with 37 ticks remaining, absorbing contact and banking one in from an awkward angle on the left baseline to make it 96-88. Miami then weathered the late rally from New Jersey.

"(Wade) was simply outstanding, his effort and he really showed how special of an athlete he is and his awareness," Spoelstra said.

Keyon Dooling scored 23 points for the Nets, who played without star point guard Devin Harris (right hamstring).

"It wasn't lack of effort, it's no consolation losing because they play with a spirit and enthusiasm," Nets coach Lawrence Frank said.

Wade hit just 3-of-13 shots through three quarters but scored 10 points in the fourth, setting up his outburst in OT.

"Dwyane Wade displayed his dominance again," Dooling said. "He carried them to the mountain top tonight. He is incredible. He is amazing. Wade took over in that second half. When he gets his mind made up, he's almost impossible to guard with one person, even two people."

Wade hit a pair of free throws with 32 seconds left in regulation to give the Heat an 85-83 lead before Dooling hit a floater in the lane with 8.4 ticks left to tie the game. A long jumper by Wade missed sending the game to overtime.

The Nets started the game on a 10-1 run after a long jumper by Yi Jianlian. Their lead ballooned to 16 points later in the quarter after a 3-pointer by Bobby Simmons forged a 27-11 edge.

The Heat battled to get back in the game over the next two quarters behind strong contributions from Diawara and Michael Beasley off the bench. Chris Quinn knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Heat a 66-63 lead - their first since they scored the first point of the game.

Miami forward Shawn Marion missed the game due to back spasms.