Wade Makes 40 Despite Injuries, Lifts Heat to a 109-102 Win Against Pistons
Dwayne Wade, 33, already playing just a day after having fluid was drained from his left knee, led the Miami Heat to a 109-102 victory over the Detroit Pistons during last night's game at the AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, Florida. It marked their fifth straight at home and strengthened their hold on the No. 7 spot in the Eastern Conference standings.
Wade who scored 19 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter told reporters later: "Just being strong-willed. We didn't have that many guys coming into the game, we lost two coming out of halftime ... but you have to do what you have to do....We fight."
Wade isn't the only ailing Heat player that night. Power forward/center Udonis Haslem, 34, is also dealing with a few injuries of his own, including problems with both ankles. Still, he managed to set season highs with 18 points and 13 rebounds for himself. James Ennis matched his season best with 16 points, Mario Chalmers scored 11 and Goran Dragic had 10 for the Heat.
Miami used just seven players in the second half, after forwards Luol Deng and Michael Beasely got hurt during the first two quarters. Deng injured his left knee while Beasley go it in the right elbow. Ruled out from playing that night were centers Hassan Whiteside who has an injured hand and Chris Andersen who has an injured calf as well as Hassan Whiteside (hand) and Chris Andersen (calf) were ruled out before the game, as was rookie point guard Shabazz Nabier who has an injured hip. The Heat have already lost Chris Bosh who was found with blood clots and Josh McRoberts who has torn his right meniscus.
Miami was up by as many as 17 in the third, but back-to-back 3-pointers from the Piston's Jodie Meeks sparked a run that got the Pistons within 71-65 going into the fourth. Still, the Heat held on, with Wade going 11 for 11 from the line in the fourth quarter. Coach Erik Spoelstra later told reporters: "Our two co-captains really led us and set the tone."
For the other side, Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy said: "The only two guys that played well for us offensively were Reggie [Jackson who had 31 points and nine assists] and Andre [Drummond who had 32 points and 14 rebounds]. Wade and Haslem played great for them. We had two guys play real well but they [the Heat] got more help."