NEW YORK, 3 January 2005 — Dwyane Wade poured in 26 points and dished out nine assists as the Miami Heat scorched the expansion Charlotte Bobcats 113-90 in NBA action on Saturday, to extend their franchise record win streak to 14 games.
“That may have been the luckiest shot I ever hit,” Wade admitted. “There are stretches when you feel it’s just you and the rim. Those are the best nights — when you feel like it’s just you and the basket and no one can really do much about it.”
“At times it looks like it’s too easy for him,” Miami coach Stan Van Gundy said.
Shaquille O’Neal contributed 16 points as Miami fans celebrated the New Year in style, watching the Heat improve their record to an Eastern Conference best 25-7 on the strength of the NBA’s longest winning run this season.
“He’s fun to watch,” said O’Neal, who scored 16 points. “I know I have fun when I’m on the bench watching.”
Bobcats rookie sensation Emeka Okafor continued his impressive play registering his 19th consecutive double-double hitting for 17 points and 10 rebounds in a losing effort.
It was the fifth straight loss for the Bobcats who are just 1-13 on the road this season.
In New York, Richard Jefferson had 17 points and new addition Vince Carter added 16 to help the New Jersey Nets to a 93-87 victory over the Knicks.
Jason Kidd, who had just four points in each of his two previous contests, rebounded with a 13 point effort as the Nets snapped the Knicks three game win streak.
Stephon Marbury had a game high 31 for New York but it still was not enough as the Knicks lost for the 17th time in 20 meetings to their cross-river rivals.
The Nets will donate a percentage of all tickets sold over the next two weeks to aid in the relief effort caused by the damage and destruction of the Asian tsunamis.
In Minneapolis, Spanish guard Pau Gasol had 23 points, including 14 in the third quarter and Earl Watson added 20 as the Memphis Grizzlies rallied to beat the Timberwolves 104-95.
It was the third consecutive win for the Grizzlies, who trailed by seven going into the second half.
Kevin Garnett had 30 points and 10 rebounds while Wally Szczerbiak had 22 points and Latrell Sprewell 17 as the slumping Timberwolves lost for the fourth time in five games.
In Chicago, Eddy Curry had 22 points and eight rebounds while Kirk Hinrich contributed 18 points and nine assists as the Bulls dumped the struggling Orlando Magic 105-90.
Grant Hill had 16 and Steve Francis 12 for the Magic who have now lost three straight and seven of their last nine while the Bulls returned to the win column after a two-game losing skid.
The Magic trailed by 23 at the half and by as much at 33 in the third quarter before mounting a late rally.
In Portland, Shareef Abdur-Rahim had 26 points and nine rebounds as Trailblazers rebounded from their worst loss of the season claiming a convincing 97-88 win over the Golden State Warriors.
Damon Stoudamire chipped in with 19 points and Ruben Patterson 18 as the Trailblazers atoned for an embarrassing 34-point loss to the San Antonio Spurs two days earlier.
Troy Murphy had 19 for the Warriors, who had seven players in double figures.
