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Weakened Heat still rattle Spurs
Source: AFP |
April 2, 2013, Tuesday
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MIAMI superstars LeBron James and Dwyane wade sat out the National Basketball Association's marquee match-up against the Spurs on Sunday, but Chris Bosh provided enough star power to lift the Heat to an 88-86 victory in San Antonio.
Reigning NBA champion and Eastern Conference leader Miami forged a three-game advantage over Western Conference leader San Antonio for the best record in the league and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Heat have also swept the season series with the Spurs, earning the head-to-head tiebreaker for home court.
Bosh, the often overlooked member of Miami's "Big Three," made sure the Heat didn't miss the injured James and Wade.
With the Heat trailing 85-86, he drained the go-ahead 3-pointer with 1.9 seconds remaining as Miami held on for a second straight victory since having its 27-game winning streak snapped by Chicago last Wednesday.
Elsewhere, it was: Hornets 112, Cavaliers 92; Wizards 109, Raptors 92; Bulls 95, Pistons 94; and Knicks 108, Celtics 89.
In San Antonio, Bosh scored 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds.
Ray Allen added 14 points, Norris Cole scored 13 and Mike Miller chipped in 12 for the Heat, who improved to 58-15.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said shortly before the game that James and Wade would sit out.
James had played on after straining his right hamstring in the first half of Friday's win against New Orleans, although he sat out the final quarter with the Heat holding a comfortable lead.
Wade hurt his right ankle in Wednesday's loss to the Bulls, but played on Friday.
"We're a deep team for a reason. We're prepared for this," Spoelstra said via the team's Twitter account as he addressed sitting his biggest stars for the key contest.
Tim Duncan had 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Kawhi Leonard added 17 points and 11 boards for the Spurs, who had won six of seven games.
Reigning NBA champion and Eastern Conference leader Miami forged a three-game advantage over Western Conference leader San Antonio for the best record in the league and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Heat have also swept the season series with the Spurs, earning the head-to-head tiebreaker for home court.
Bosh, the often overlooked member of Miami's "Big Three," made sure the Heat didn't miss the injured James and Wade.
With the Heat trailing 85-86, he drained the go-ahead 3-pointer with 1.9 seconds remaining as Miami held on for a second straight victory since having its 27-game winning streak snapped by Chicago last Wednesday.
Elsewhere, it was: Hornets 112, Cavaliers 92; Wizards 109, Raptors 92; Bulls 95, Pistons 94; and Knicks 108, Celtics 89.
In San Antonio, Bosh scored 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds.
Ray Allen added 14 points, Norris Cole scored 13 and Mike Miller chipped in 12 for the Heat, who improved to 58-15.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said shortly before the game that James and Wade would sit out.
James had played on after straining his right hamstring in the first half of Friday's win against New Orleans, although he sat out the final quarter with the Heat holding a comfortable lead.
Wade hurt his right ankle in Wednesday's loss to the Bulls, but played on Friday.
"We're a deep team for a reason. We're prepared for this," Spoelstra said via the team's Twitter account as he addressed sitting his biggest stars for the key contest.
Tim Duncan had 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Kawhi Leonard added 17 points and 11 boards for the Spurs, who had won six of seven games.
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