NEW YORK - Bright lights. National TV spotlight. Christmas day game. Madison Square Garden. Dwyane Wade at the finish. What could be better for the Miami Heat?
A victory. A much-needed, swagger-building victory.
The Heat handed itself a gift on Christmas with Friday's 93-87 victory against the woeful-turned-hopeful Knicks to kick off five nationally televised Christmas games. Wade scored 30 points, Michael Beasley added 19, Udonis Haslem contributed 12 and Jermaine O'Neal and Mario Chalmers each added 11.
It equated to the Heat's fourth victory in the past five games, and a bit of a defensive resurgence. Beasley and Wade provided just enough offense to complement another solid defensive outing for the Heat, which improved to 7-0 this season when holding opponents to fewer than 90 points.
"They do play good defense," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said. "You have to give them credit."
D. WADE'S DOINGS: Wade was less than spectacular. Until the fourth quarter, when he scored 10 of his team-high 30 points. He scored eight consecutive Heat points to keep his team from squandering all of what was a 14 point lead at one point early in the fourth quarter. Wade showed again that he's gradually getting his lift back. His dunk straight down the lane and over the entire Knicks defense was one of his most explosive of the season. Wade talked about how special of a stage Madison Square Garden offers elite players. He did his best to live up to the moment - and the building. Wade was 11 of 21 from the field, 7 of 8 from the free-throw line and had nine rebounds, five assists and four steals. He also had four turnovers, including one that triggered the Knicks rally from that 14-point deficit. But overall, this was more in line with the type of games he delivered on a regular basis last season.
TURNING POINT: The Heat used a modest 15-7 run to create its largest lead of the game at 72-58 on Beasley's driving, pull-up jumper over Al Harrington with 8:46 left in the game. Miami was aggressive on both ends during the mini-spurt, driving everything into the lane. The Heat was also 8 of 8 from the foul line, with Haslem contributing from the line and the field.
WINNING EDGE: In a game that was decided by six points, the Heat's 27-18 edge in points scored at the free-throw line was significant. Miami was 20 of 24 from the line in the second half.
HEAD-SCRATCHER:For all of Wade's late-game highlights, the Heat actually established its largest lead with Beasley carrying the scoring load and Wade resting on the bench at the start of the fourth. When Wade came back in, the offense was all about him. And just when the Knicks started to overload on Wade, he dished the biggest assist of the game on Jermaine's jumper. You have to scratch your head and wonder if it was pure coincidence that this team was more efficient when running the offense through Beasley than through Wade for that stretch. Other than that, I also scratched my head after the game when Wade ended his media session amid laughter by saying he could no longer talk about LeBron James and free agency "because that's tampering." Wow. So now, all of a sudden, that's the case?
KEY CONTRIBUTION: Beasley's two rebounds in more than 34 minutes of action left a lot to be desired in that category, but he was there yet again to carry the offense when Wade was out. He also did a decent job of scoring with Wade on the floor. It was especially encouraging to see Beasley stop settling for long jumpers. His shot-fake and drive from the three-point line against Al Harrington in the fourth quarter was a thing of beauty. He's 6-9, with handles and a crafty dude around the basket. He only limits himself when he bails the defense out by pulling up for jumpers. Beasley closed with 19 points and was 7 of 16 overall, but 5 of 8 in the decisive second half.
NEXT UP: Pacers at Heat, 6 p.m. Sunday - AmericanAirlines Arena
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