Shaq-less Heat still too much for Wizards to overcome
Shaquille O’Neal didn’t play, and Dwyane Wade committed five turnovers in the first quarter. Still, the Miami Heat kept their perfect postseason intact.
Five Miami players scored during a 13-0 third-quarter run that swung the game, and Wade steadied himself to finish with 31 points, nine rebounds and six assists, leading a 102-95 victory over the Washington Wizards on Thursday night at Washington. That gave the Heat a 3-0 lead in the best-of-7 series.
The Heat, 7-0 in the postseason, can complete their second straight sweep on Saturday night.
The deep thigh bruise that has bothered O’Neal for weeks finally caused him to miss a playoff game for the first time in his career, ending a streak of 164 consecutive postseason appearances. His absence appeared to open a golden opportunity for the Wizards, who had won seven straight at home.
But 35-year-old Alonzo Mourning started for O’Neal and continued his postseason renaissance with 14 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks, including a rejection of Larry Hughes’ layup attempt in the final minute.
Eddie Jones and Damon Jones added 16 points apiece. Wade made 14 of 27 shots and finished with eight turnovers.
Gilbert Arenas scored 20 points and set a franchise playoff record with 14 assists for the Wizards, who trailed by 11 early in the fourth quarter and by 10 with 4:19 remaining.
Surgery sidelines Johnson for a week
Phoenix Suns guard Joe Johnson underwent surgery to repair a displaced fracture in the bone around his left eye.
The starting guard, who has played in all 287 games since coming to the Suns in his rookie season, will miss at least the next two games of the team’s Western Conference semifinal series against Dallas and probably Game 5 in Phoenix as well, Suns president Bryan Colangelo said.
Johnson has averaged 19 ppg in the playoffs.
Wallace heads All-Defensive team
Center Ben Wallace of the Detroit Pistons, previously selected Defensive Player of the Year for the third time, heads the NBA’s All-Defensive team.
Wallace, making his fourth consecutive appearance on the first team, was joined by forward Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves, forwards Tim Duncan and Bruce Bowen of the San Antonio Spurs, and guard Larry Hughes of the Washington Wizards.
Sloan will return for another season
Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said he will return for another season, despite enduring his most disappointing campaign (26-56) in 17 years guiding the team.
Sloan is the longest tenured head coach for any team in all four major sports.