Wade scores 17 straight; Heat rally beats Pistons
With Dwyane Wade leading a fourth-quarter comeback, the Miami Heat finally showed they can beat the NBA’s elite.
Wade scored the Heat’s final 17 points, including the game-winner on a 16-footer with 2.3 seconds left, and Miami beat the visiting Detroit Pistons 100-98 Sunday.
The Heat improved to 1-7 against the league’s four top teams, but they needed a frantic rally to do it.
Miami trailed 90-83 with 4 1/2 minutes left when Wade took over. His 17 consecutive points were a franchise record, and he finished with 37.
Shaquille O’Neal scored a season-high 31 points for the Heat.
Chauncey Billups had 29 points and 10 assists for the Pistons. They’ve lost three of their past five games but still have the NBA’s best record at 41-9.
Spurs 92, Pacers 88: At Indianapolis, Manu Ginobili scored 10 of his 29 points in the final 1:28 and San Antonio beat Indiana for its league-best ninth straight win.
Wizards 107, 76ers 97: At Washington, Gilbert Arenas scored 27 points as the Wizards completed a perfect five-game homestand by beating Philadelphia. Allen Iverson scored 33 points for the 76ers.
Raptors 114, Trail Blazers 81: At Toronto, Morris Peterson scored 15 of his 22 points during a third-quarter run and the Raptors routed Portland.
Celtics 102, Magic 94: At Boston, Paul Pierce scored 31 points and Wally Szczerbiak added 24 as the Celtics beat Orlando in Grant Hill’s return to the Magic lineup.
Nets 94, Bucks 79: At East Rutherford, N.J., Vince Carter scored 24 points and Jason Kidd added 16, leading New Jersey over Milwaukee.
Rockets 90, Knicks 83: At Houston, Yao Ming had 24 points, eight rebounds and four blocks to help the Rockets overcome Tracy McGrady’s dismal shooting in a victory over New York.
Kings 109, Hawks 84: At Sacramento, Calif., Ron Artest had 20 points, six steals and six assists to lead the Kings to a rout of Atlanta.
Bulls 97, Clippers 91: At Los Angeles, Kirk Hinrich scored 10 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter after getting into early foul trouble, Jannero Pargo added 17 off the bench and Chicago beat the Clippers.
Around the league
New Jersey center Nenad Krstic was ejected from the Nets’ game against Milwaukee after scuffling with the Bucks’ Jamaal Magloire just before halftime. The players became tangled while going for rebound position on the final shot of the half. Though Magloire appeared to elbow Krstic in the stomach, only Krstic was ejected. … NBA scoring leader Kobe Bryant will team with former Lakers great Magic Johnson and Los Angeles Sparks center Lisa Leslie in the Shooting Stars competition on Saturday night of All-Star weekend. … Boston Celtics guard Delonte West will replace former college teammate Jameer Nelson on the sophomore team for Friday night’s Rookie Challenge due to Nelson’s sprained right foot.