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Heat edge Kings to win 10th straight game
Damon Jones hit a 3-pointer with 23.4 seconds left, and Shaquille O'Neal blocked Mike Bibby's layup attempt in the closing seconds of the Miami Heat's 10th straight victory, 109-107 over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night.
O'Neal, who had 25 points and 10 rebounds despite a bruised left calf, missed two free throws with 10.9 seconds left, but blocked Bibby's ensuing drive to the hoop with about two seconds to play.
Chris Webber's 3-pointer at the buzzer was well short, and Miami extended its longest winning streak since late in the 1997-98 season.
The Heat also became just the third Eastern Conference team to win in Sacramento in 53 games over the last four seasons.
Webber scored 26 points and Bibby had 21 points and eight assists for the short-handed Kings, who nearly beat the East's best team despite playing largely without three of their top six players.
Sixth man Bobby Jackson is sidelined with torn ligaments in his wrist. The Kings also had to make do with limited contributions from two starters: Brad Miller received a deep cut on his shin and played sparingly, and Doug Christie was ejected in the third quarter.
Sacramento led 101-89 with 5:23 to play, but Miami tied it on Eddie Jones' free throw with 1:46 left. The Heat went ahead 106-104 on Damon Jones' free throws with 51.1 seconds left, but Peja Stojakovic hit a difficult 3-pointer from in front of the Kings' bench.
Dwyane Wade had 22 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds for the Heat, but was limited in the second half by the defense of Sacramento journeyman Maurice Evans.
Damon Jones had 18 points and hit four 3-pointers, while Eddie Jones finished with 21 points and three 3-pointers.
O'Neal remained silent during the day, refusing to speak to reporters at the morning shootaround or in the locker room before the game. He hopes his play speaks for itself back at Staples Center, where he won three championships and bickered with Bryant during his eight seasons with the Lakers.
Miller missed much of the first half after a collision with Wade under the basket in the first quarter. Miller returned in the second half after getting 15 stitches to close a deep gash on his right shin, but also spent most of the game in foul trouble.
The Kings then lost Christie when he was ejected for his second technical foul after a midcourt collision with Wade. Referee Bennett Salvatore called T's on both players for jawing, but Christie already had a technical from an earlier argument.
Jackson watched in street clothes on the bench, where he might remain for a few months. Jackson incurred his third major injury in as many seasons earlier in the week, tearing ligaments in his wrist that probably will require surgery. |
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