(My Sportsbook) - The Southeast Division-leading
Miami Heat shoot for their third straight victory tonight, when they continue a five-game homestand versus the
Washington Wizards at AmericanAirlines Arena.
The Heat kicked off the residency with Friday's 96-88 victory over the previously-unbeaten Denver Nuggets, as Dwyane Wade led five Miami players in double-figures with 22 points. Jermaine O'Neal added 18 points and seven rebounds, while Mario Chalmers netted 16 points for Miami, which improved to 5-1 and is off to the best start since opening 6-1 in 1999-2000.
"It's going to take [a team effort] to be successful," said Wade, last year's scoring champion who is currently fifth at 28.0 ppg "I enjoyed it, to see guys be confident and successful."
Quentin Richardson finished with 13 points and nine boards, and Udonis Haslem had 11 points to go along with 10 rebounds off the Miami bench. The Heat will also host the Cavs, Nets and Thunder in south Florida.
Washington has dropped four straight games and fell to 2-5 on the season following Sunday's 102-90 loss to the Phoenix Suns at the Verizon Center.
Gilbert Arenas and Andray Blatche each had 20 points for the Wizards, who have been held under 40 percent from the floor in each contest during the skid. They have also failed to score more than 90 points.
"It's been a never-ending thing here lately," Wizards head coach Flip Saunders said. "Our offense has been stagnant and we are struggling offensively which is putting a lot of undue pressure on us defensively."
Randy Foye ended with 16 points and Brendan Haywood registered 10 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks. Starting forward Antawn Jamison and guard Miller are still battling shoulder injuries and will be out at least a week. Guard Gilbert Arenas is probable for Tuesday's game with a sore left calf. Arenas leads the team with 24.4 points per game.
Miami has won five straight against Washington and is 20-5 over the previous 25 meetings between the teams. The Wizards have dropped their last two trips to South Beach and are 2-10 in the past 12 encounters as the guest.
