The Miami Heat brought an end to their miserable 15-game losing
streak with a 98-96 home victory over the Indiana Pacers on
Saturday.
"It felt great to finally dig out a win," said Dwyane Wade, who
scored 35 points. "We have been so close for so many games. It felt
great."
The 15-game skid was the National Basketball Association's
longest losing streak of the season and the second-longest in
franchise history. Dorell Wright threw the ball in the air as the
streak came to an end and the 9-33 team celebrated, heaving a
collective sigh of relief.
"All the close games kept people in the building but it's good
just to end it," said Miami coach Pat Riley. "It was harrowing at
the end again but normally that is the way it is."
In other NBA games on Saturday, it was: 76ers 103, Bobcats 96;
Hornets 102, Spurs 78; and Grizzlies 125, Clippers 120 (in
overtime).
In Miami, the Heat almost blew a late nine-point lead but held
on for their first win since December 22.
"You want to get it over with," said Riley.
"You just get it over with and then you can move on. It doesn't
alleviate anything else. Once you get it over with, then you think
about it. It lasts for one second."
Mark Blount scored 10 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter as
the Heat, playing without the injured Shaquille O'Neal, beat an
Indiana team missing Jermaine O'Neal and Jamaal Tinsley. Wright
added 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Mike Dunleavy had 25 for the Pacers, who have lost 13 of their
last 17 games.
At Charlotte, North Carolina, Andre Iguodala scored 33 points
and Philadelphia recovered from a poor start to beat Charlotte and
snap a three-game losing streak.
Andre Miller added 23 points and Samuel Dalembert grabbed 14
rebounds in a rare good performance for the 76ers, who had lost 11
of 13 games this month.
The Sixers rallied from an early 11-point deficit by controlling
the boards. They had 17 offensive rebounds, while Iguodala hit 13
of 21 shots, finishing one shy of his career high.
Jason Richardson led the Bobcats with 35 points.
In San Antonio, David West scored 32 points and New Orleans won
its eighth straight game.
Peja Stojakovic added 22 points, including four 3-pointers, and
Chris Paul had 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Hornets.
Tim Duncan and Tony Parker scored 17 points apiece for San
Antonio, which has lost five games at home this season.
The Hornets outscored the Spurs 60-35 in the second half, when
they took control of the game and grabbed the lead for good.
In Memphis, Tennessee, Rudy Gay scored a career-high 34 points
and Memphis hit its free throws at the end to beat Los Angeles in
overtime.
Mike Miller scored 27 points for Memphis, and Kyle Lowry had a
career-high 21 points and eight assists for the Grizzlies, who shot
53 percent and hit seven of eight free throws in the final 21.2
seconds to maintain their lead.
Corey Maggette had a season-high 35 points to lead the Clippers,
while Sam Cassell finished with 25 and Tim Thomas scored 23,
hitting 10 of his 13 shots before fouling out with 26.6 seconds
left.
(Agencies via Shanghai Daily January 28, 2008)