MILWAUKEE - Revenge week continued for the Miami Heat.
After taking down Charlotte a week ago at home following three consecutive defeats in the season series, the Heat finally got on the board against the Bucks. Miami fended off a season sweep against yet another nemesis with Friday's 87-74 victory against Milwaukee at the Bradley Center.
While the Heat still lost the season series 3-1 to the Bucks, the victory had huge ramifications.
Miami extended its winning streak to four games. At 39-34, the Heat is five games above .500 for the first time since a Nov. 14 victory against New Jersey moved it to 7-2. But most importantly, the Heat closed to within one game of the fifth-place Bucks (39-32) in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Miami has now won consecutive games against the Bobcats, Nets, Bulls and Bucks going into Sunday's home game against the Toronto Raptors. The Heat, 10-3 in March, also has won more games this month than any other since March of 2007.
In other words, the Heat is rolling right now. And, on top of that, it is in position to keep its good times going, with its final nine games against teams with losing records. Not only is a repeat fifth-place finish within the Heat's grasp, it should essentially be a formality at this rate.
D. WADE'S DOINGS: Wade flirted with another triple-double Friday, closing with 30 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Coach Erik Spoelstra said Wade has been having a "Magic Johnson-type" impact on this team with the way he's played lately. Wade came out in attack mode and made his first five shots in a near-perfect first quarter. He had 12 points in the period after making all three field goals and all six free throws. Then, came the facilitating. Wade piled up the assists, and would have reached double figures in dimes had a few of his teammates been able to hold onto the ball for layups. Wade was flattered by the Magic comparison, but suggested he wasn't anywhere near that lofty status yet. "Do you have another name? Somebody else? I'm just trying to be a complete player."
TURNING POINT: Just when the Bucks overcome their slow start and cut a 22-point Heat lead to 10 in the third quarter, Miami responded with another run to push it back to 19. Dorell Wright was key during that stretch to start the fourth quarter as Wade rested on the bench. Wright scored seven of his 14 in the fourth.
WINNING/LOSING EDGE: The Heat held the Bucks to 31.5 percent shooting, marking the fourth straight game it has held the opposition below 40 percent shooting from the field. Carlos Arroyo won the battle at the point with nine points, six rebounds and six assists. He held rookie sensation Brandon Jennings to four points on 1-of-8 shooting. Michael Beasley led the Heat with two blocks.
HEAD-SCRATCHER: Just when Jermaine O'Neal had his game going at an All-Star level, he hits a bump in the road. This time, it was a pretty bad stumble. O'Neal was knocked out of Friday's game with what was initially diagnosed as a hyperextended left knee. He sustained the injury with five minutes left in the first quarter when his knee buckled as he drove to the basket. O'Neal did not return to the game. Obviously, he was frustrated while sitting in his locker after the game. The last thing he wants right now is for a knee injury - after all the knee trouble he had in the past - to haunt him now. "It's a concern," O'Neal said. "But we'll see how much tomorrow when I see the doctor." Miami has a favorable schedule down the stretch, but it needs a healthy O'Neal to take full advantage of that opportunity. This is the second time O'Neal hyperextended a knee this season. He didn't miss any time when he did a few months back against Detroit. Michael Beasley missed two games when he had the same injury. Every knee is different.
KEY CONTRIBUTION: With O'Neal sidelined, Udonis Haslem stepped up big-time to fill the power void. He closed with 18 rebounds to match his career high and also chipped in 10 points. It was a bittersweet night for Haslem, who also inadvertently stepped on Carlos Delfino's head in the second quarter. Delfino ended up being taken off the court on a stretcher and examined at a local hospital for neck and jaw injuries. Haslem was shaken by the incident and tried to check on Delfino's condition at halftime and after the game. The team expected Delfino to recover fine. He had use of all of his extremities. It was Haslem's 16th double-double of the season. It helped that he didn't have to contend with Andrew Bogut, who sat out with a back strain. Miami outrebounded Milwaukee 46-36.
NEXT UP: Toronto Raptors at Heat, 6 p.m. Sunday - AmericanAirlines Arena
(For live news, notes and updates on the Heat, follow me on Twitter @ twitter.com/wallacesports. To post a question or join our live Heat chat each Thursday from 1-2 p.m., click here.)
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