Miami
Philip Maymin
Basketball News Services
Dwyane Wade had a career night, scoring 48 points while playing 49 minutes, but it was no match for Allen Iverson's 38 points, 16 assists, and infinite energy. The Philadelphia 76ers beat the visiting Miami Heat 126-119in overtime, dropping the Heat to a three-game losing streak. Shaquille O'Neal was back and somewhat effective on the offensive end (13 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists) but he was obviously fatigued by the end and had a game-high nine turnovers.
The Heat had more field goals made than the Sixers on fewer attempts. They shot and made almost as many three pointers. The rebounding was about even, as were the assists, fouls, steals, and blocks. The Heat only had a handful of more turnovers. So what was the difference in the game?
Missed free throws. It's just that simple.
The Sixers hit 33 of their 34 attempts. The Heat hit 22 of their 34 attempts. That's an 11 point spread. The Sixers only won by seven. Shaq was the worst culprit, hitting just 3 of his 11 shots. Dwyane Wade hit 10 of his 13 and Christian Laettner hit one of two: no other Heat missed a free throw.
NEXT GAME
The Heat (56-22, first in the Southeast) face the Atlantic division leaders in the Boston Celtics (43-35, first in the Atlantic) TONIGHT. The game starts at 7:30pm Eastern and will be broadcast on Sun Sports and NBA League Pass.
TEAM NOTES
The Heat have clinched the Southeast divisional title and the Eastern Conference title. Congratulations Miami!
Do you think you know everything about the Heat? Would you consider yourself an expert on everything from Keith Askins to Wang Zhi-Zhi? What about Burnie, the HEAT Dancers or the Xtreme Team? What do you know about this season, Shaq, Dwyane or Udonis? If you’re a know it all, then prove it. Enter the Heat Trivia Engine Contestand compete with other fans for fame and prizes! You can win autographed memorabilia from this year's amazing run!
INJURY UPDATE
Wang Zhi-Zhi
(back),Qyntel Woods(ankle), andDorell Wright(knee) are on the injured list.
Israel Gutierrez ofThe Miami Heraldwrites: Despite the fact Dwyane Wade's career-high 48 points went to waste, despite the fact Stan Van Gundy was fuming mad afterward, and despite the fact the Heat sustained its first three-game skid of the season with the playoffs around the corner, the team might have done itself a favor Thursday night... That would mean the Heat would avoid Philadelphia, a team that has beaten Miami twice this season, and play Cleveland or New Jersey, two teams Miami is undefeated against this season and has handled rather easily.
Israel Gutierrez ofThe Miami Heraldwrites: While the Heat has little to play for down the stretch, three of the Heat's final five opponents have plenty to keep them motivated.While Van Gundy knows it might be a contrived motivation, he wants his team to do what it can to play with more intensity. ''It's hard to conjure up, but our guys need to do it,'' Van Gundy said. ``We went through this last year when we finished 17-4 and we had a great deal to play for, we were just rolling over everybody because we were excited, and some other teams had their places pretty well set. Now you get Philadelphia and a Boston really fighting for things.''
Celeste E. Whittaker ofThe Courier-Postwrites: Sixers forward Chris Webber faced Shaquille O'Neal in the playoffs during his days with the Sacramento Kings when O'Neal was with the Lakers. There is a chance that Webber and the Sixers could face O'Neal and the Miami Heat in the playoffs this season - if the Sixers get in.Entering Thursday's game with the Heat, the Sixers were in eighth place in the Eastern Conference. The Heat already clinched the top seed in the conference and will host the eighth seed in a first-round playoff series. "I think the best thing about Shaq is that he's learned to have the same game in the playoffs and during the season," Webber said before the game. "He may exert more energy in the playoffs and he may try to score more in the playoffs, but that's bad for every other team, it's not bad for them.