Struggling to the finish, the Heat held off the league-worst Minnesota
Timberwolves 91-87 Monday night at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Timberwolves 91-87 Monday night at AmericanAirlines Arena.
"It’s tough any time you’d lose to a bad team," forward Ricky Davis
said, before catching himself and adding, "well, to a team with a worse
record than yours."
said, before catching himself and adding, "well, to a team with a worse
record than yours."
On the verge of falling 12 games below .500 for the first time since
the end of the 2002-03 season, the Heat rallied after trailing by four
midway through the final period.
the end of the 2002-03 season, the Heat rallied after trailing by four
midway through the final period.
Wolves record: 3-20
The Wolves let another fourth-quarter lead slip
away, but the way Wittman sees it, that was because Miami kept getting
to the free-throw line.
away, but the way Wittman sees it, that was because Miami kept getting
to the free-throw line.
The Heat shot 20 free throws in the fourth quarter,
compared with seven for Minnesota. Overall, Miami shot 31 for 42 at the
free-throw line, and Minnesota was 17 for 23.
compared with seven for Minnesota. Overall, Miami shot 31 for 42 at the
free-throw line, and Minnesota was 17 for 23.
Wade scored 30 points, 18 of them from the free-throw line, on a night
when the Wolves once again positioned themselves to win but were undone
by Wade’s energy and perhaps two too many offensive rebounds allowed.
Timberwolves Today has an audio recap of the loss.
Former Miami center Michael Doleac started for Minnesota and scored four points. Antoine Walker, who also went to Minnesota in that October trade that brought Ricky Davis and Mark Blount to Miami, missed the game with a sprained left ankle…
Minnesota guard Greg Buckner missed his sixth straight game with a strained right calf.
5 Consecutive games in which reserve center Michael Doleac did
not play until he returned to the starting lineup Monday to defend Heat
center Shaquille O’Neal.
not play until he returned to the starting lineup Monday to defend Heat
center Shaquille O’Neal.