Wade Helps Heat Burn Wizards, Clinch Playoff Spot
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NBA via Miami Heat (MIAMI) — LeBron James and Dwayne Wade combined to score 45 points as the Miami Heat burned the Washington Wizards 99-90 on Monday night to clinch a playoff berth.
Wade scored 13 of his 22 points during the fourth quarter to help the Heat snap a three-game losing streak. James led all scorers with 23 points.
“We needed a win,” Wade said. “We needed this win.”
With the victory, the Heat (44-17) moved within one game of the Indiana Pacers (46-17) in the race for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
Bradley Beal paced the Wizards (33-30), with 18 points. Washington led 84-83 midway through the fourth quarter before Wade took over. He keyed a 12-0 Heat run that helped put the game away.
“I’m proud of our guys,” Wizards coach Randy Wittman said. “They kept battling, working. We didn’t shoot it the way we’re capable of. We got some good looks. We shared the ball. We attacked the whole game.”
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