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casper
01-09-2010, 08:46 AM
WADE, O'NEAL PROVE TOO MUCH AS HEAT BEAT SUNS

THE SPORTS NETWORK

Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - Jermaine O'Neal hit a clutch jumper and added two free throws in the final 30 seconds, as the Miami Heat dealt the Suns a rare home loss, 109-105, despite Miami's starting five accounting for just two field goals in the fourth quarter.

Dwyane Wade scored 33 points, while Miami reserves Dorell Wright and Udonis Haslem picked up the slack with seven and six points, respectively, over the final 12 minutes.

"It was a good game tonight," said Wade. "We had some battles within the game where we had a lead and they came back and took the lead then we took the lead back. We had to have some toughness tonight and we did. It was a good road win."

Michael Beasley posted 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Heat, who began a grueling six-game, nine-day Western Conference road trip on the right foot.

Wright wound up with 15 points, O'Neal 13 and Haslem 10 for Miami, which entered Friday having lost four of its last five games.

Rafer Alston, who was signed Thursday for the remainder of the season, also had 10 points and started in his first game back for a second stint with the Heat.

Amare Stoudemire and Grant Hill each scored 18 points with the former hauling in an equal amount of rebounds and the latter 13 with five assists. Steve Nash had 16 points and 12 assists for Phoenix, which suffered only its fourth home loss this season (14-4) but also the second in its last three.

"We've got to come up with rebounds and loose balls," said Phoenix head coach Alvin Gentry. "We've gotta stay focused on what the game plan is and we didn't do that tonight."

Jason Richardson and Channing Frye scored 15 points apiece and each made a trio of three-point shots as the Suns had a modest two-game win streak broken.

Miami held a five-point lead going into the fourth quarter and continued to play front-runner as Alston's three-pointer dropped for a 94-86 difference approaching the midway point of the frame.

A Frye deuce and Richardson's three-ball moments later had the Suns within 96-93. Wright answered back with a three and the Heat continued to lead.

But two free throws by Stoudemire with 2 1/2 minutes to go made it a 100-99 game and his tip-in moments later tied the game at 101. The teams traded scores on Haslem's jumper and a Nash three that gave Phoenix a one-point edge with 1:21 left.

Nash missed a three on Phoenix's next trip down the floor and O'Neal came back to sink a fadeaway jump shot from the right side to put Miami in front 105-104. O'Neal then secured the carom off a Richardson miss, was fouled and made both for a three-point game.

Nash then missed a wide open look at a potential tying three-pointer, Haslem was fouled and made both to put the game away.

Phoenix led 33-27 after 12 minutes of play and extended that lead to 13, 43-30, courtesy of a 10-0 run in the second.

Miami responded with a 14-2 surge led by Wright's six points and his jumper with 5 1/2 minutes left had the Heat within 45-44. Beasley's three-point play about two minutes later put Miami in front and sparked a half-ending 9-3 spurt that saw the advantage swing the visitors' way 59-53.

A closely contested third quarter saw the Heat holding an 81-76 lead entering the fourth.

Game Notes

The Suns snapped a three-game skid to the Heat with a 104-96 win in Miami on November 3...Alston averaged 10.2 points and 4.5 assists for Miami during the 2003-04 season...The Heat won their third straight road game to get over the .500 mark away from South Florida (7-6)...Miami will also face the LA Clippers, Utah, Golden State, Houston and Oklahoma City on its road trip...Phoenix will host Milwaukee Monday to conclude a three-game homestand.