Miami Heat finish strong in 106-89 victory over Washington Wizards

The Miami Heat were in position to put their opponent away in the third quarter, but had to settle for the fourth. The Heat withstood a short rally before closing strong in their 106-89 victory against the Washington Wizards Friday at Verizon Center.

Dwyane Wade led the Heat with 26 points while forward Chris Bosh added 24 and 11 rebounds. It was Wade's seventh straight game with at least 20 points. Forward LeBron James finished with 18 points and nine assists.

The win comes just two days after the Heat were hit by a 3-point barrage against the Orlando Magic, who made 17 from the arc in a 102-89 victory.

That was not the case here.

After facing one of the league's top 3-point shooting teams, the Heat welcomed the lowly Wizards. Washington made just 4 of 21 3-pointers. With the Wizards' cold shooting, the Heat were on the verge of blowing things open in the third quarter.

Bosh made two free throws to make it 62-50 with 7 minutes, 9 seconds remaining in the quarter. A blowout was exactly what the Heat could have used with a looming stretch of three games on consecutive days.

With a chance to possibly rest Wade, Bosh and LeBron James, the Heat fell victim to an 11-0 run by the Wizards to make things interesting. A short jumper by Trevor Booker pulled Washington to within 62-61. After Mario Chalmers misfired on a 3-pointer, the Wizards had two chances to grab lead but Jordan Crawford and Jan Vesely missed layups.

It was their last opportunity.

The Heat withstood the charge, and took control by going on a 21-7 run over the next seven minutes.

Center JaVale McGee led the Wizards with 24 points and 13 rebounds.

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