[Miami, FL] On Friday night, the Miami Heat welcomed Dwyane Wade back to the starting lineup against the New York Knicks. Wade had a big night as he and the boys outlasted the NY crew 99-89 at American Airlines Arena.
Earlier in the day, reports said D-Wade was not going to hit the hardwood, but he decided to play and did not disappoint. After this game and his spectacular performance, no one should say that the Heat is fine without him.
In the first quarter, both Wade and LeBron James combined to score 18 points. But Landry Fields kept the Knicks in the game along with some three-point buckets from his friends. At the end of the quarter, the score was tied at 22.
Both teams put on a show in the second quarter. Dwyane and LeBron kept driving into the lane and dunking – combining to score 14 – while the Knicks kept knocking down almost every three that they put up. At halftime, the Miami Heat were up 52-48.
Both teams stayed neck and neck in the third quarter and for most of the second half. Miami’s Big 3 – James, Wade, and Chris Bosh, in case you were just born – tallied 15 out of the 22 points scored in the third for Miami.
Photo: Miami Heat
The Miami Heat were glad to have Dwyane Wade back from injury
But, once again the Knicks kept pace with the Heat, mostly due to the play of Bill Walker and Amar’e Stoudemire. At the end of three, the Heat were up 74-71.
In the fourth, the Knicks kept up with the Heat until about 5 minutes left in the game – that’s when James put it to bed by scoring 11 points in the final 5. New York tried to make a comeback, but the Heat held them off. The final score was Miami Heat 99, New York Knicks 89.
Dwyane Wade played great for his first game back in about 2 weeks. He scored 28 points and had 5 steals.
“It’s a nice welcome back for that young kid, number three,” said Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, obviously impressed.
LeBron James also scored 31 points and collected 8 rebounds, another big night for him. Chris Bosh scored 13 points and collected 9 rebounds as well.
“That’s a good way to have a Friday night in Miami,” Spoelstra exhaled. “The way they were moving the ball, the Knicks were playing extremely well, and the ball was popping.”
Next up for the Heat is a big network TV game on ABC versus the Chicago Bulls.
By: Michael Tristani II/Sunshine Slate
Lead image: Miami Heat/Issac Baldizon/NBAE/Getty
