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Heat 113, Spurs 101
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
MIAMI — In a rematch of last year’s NBA Finals, guard Dwyane Wade returned from the injured list and the Miami Heat easily defeated the San Antonio Spurs 113-101 on Sunday at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Heat forwards Chris Bosh (24 points) and LeBron James (18 points) starred as Miami improved its home record to 19-3.
Bosh made 9 of 10 shots from the floor, including his 32nd 3-pointer of the season, which is already a career high. He also made 5 of 5 from the foul line in 28 minutes.
James added seven rebounds and six assists in 26 minutes.
Wade, who had missed four straight games due to knee soreness, came in off the bench for the first time since 2008 and had eight points for Miami (32-12), which extended its modest win streak to three games. Wade played 24 minutes.
As a team, the Heat shot 58 percent from the floor and were never seriously challenged.
San Antonio (33-11) was led by center Tim Duncan, who had 23 points. Forward Boris Diaw added 15 points.
Before the game, James said the Spurs’ arrival in Miami brought back memories from the Heat’s win over San Antonio in last year’s NBA Finals.
“It was one of the greatest Finals the NBA has ever seen,” James said. “I was ecstatic, excited, humbled and blessed to be a part of it.”
The Heat on Sunday, playing with all 15 of its players healthy for the first time all season, came out firing, leading 8-0 two minutes into the game. The Heat shot 72 percent in the first quarter and took a 34-28 lead heading into the second.
Miami increased its lead to 58-50 at the half, overcoming 17 points by Duncan. Miami shot 59 percent for the first half, compared to 49 percent for San Antonio.
The third quarter was more of the same as the Heat outscored San Antonio 33-21 to take a 91-71 lead. Through three quarters, the Heat shot 60 percent.
Bosh was perfect in the third quarter, scoring 12 points on 4-of-4 shooting from the floor and 5 of 5 on the foul line.
NOTES: G Toney Douglas and F James Jones were the Heat’s healthy scratches. … The wife of Heat G Ray Allen had a mural painted of his memorable shot that helped beat the Spurs in Game 6 of last year’s NBA Finals. It hangs above their fireplace, and Allen has called the shot the greatest of his career. … Injuries have forced the Spurs to use 15 different starting lineups in 44 games. On Sunday, the Spurs were without three starters: C Tiago Splitter (shoulder), F Kawhi Leonard (broken right hand) and G Danny Green (broken left hand). … The Heat have used 12 different starting lineups. Their preferred lineup — Gs Dwyane Wade and Mario Chalmers, Fs LeBron James and Shane Battier and C Chris Bosh — has been together for just 17 games. … Next up for the Heat is a home game Wednesday against Oklahoma City. … The Spurs visit the Houston Rockets on Tuesday.
