Sports / Basketball |
Wade outduels A.I. as Heat beat Sixers(AP)Updated: 2006-11-28 11:40 MIAMI - The Miami Heat shot even better than Allen Iverson. Dwyane Wade had 33 points and 13 assists, and Miami sank a season-best 59 percent of its shots to withstand Iverson's 45 points in a 103-91 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.
Wade led the Heat in scoring for the 11th consecutive game. He became the first NBA player to have at least 30 points and 12 assists for three games in a row since Kevin Johnson of Phoenix in February 1989. Udonis Haslem had 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Alonzo Mourning blocked seven shots and added 14 points for the defending NBA champion Heat, who had lost their past four home games. The 76ers lost for the ninth time in 11 games since starting 3-0. Wade, Gary Payton, Jason Kapono, Jason Williams and Dorell Wright took turns defending Iverson, and the 6-foot-10 Mourning jumped out on the perimeter several times to help against the 6-foot guard. Miami even tried a zone. But Iverson was never quiet for long, earning almost all of his points going 1-on-1. He scored inside against Mourning, and hit 20-footer over two defenders before he fell across the baseline and landed on a spectator. Wade sank several acrobatic baskets, too, including a reverse layup that sent him skidding on his rear into the corner. Iverson had 24 points 20 minutes into the game, but his team trailed 45-44. He had 27 at the half, when the score was 51-all. Wade had seven turnovers but shot 10-for-18, including the score that put Miami ahead to stay, 62-61. Three quick baskets by the Heat to start the fourth quarter, including a breakaway by Wright, made it 80-68. Iverson went 17-for-37 for the 76ers, who shot 37 percent. Their only other double-figure scorer was Andre Iguodala, who had 15 points. |
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