Heat Takes On The Wizards 7:00 ET

Wizards-Heat Preview

By ALAN FERGUSON
Posted Nov 26 2009 10:56PM

Dwyane Wade missed badly on a potential game-winning shot in the Miami Heat's last game, but Michael Beasley was there to bail him out.

Wade hasn't misfired this season against the Washington Wizards.

The Heat's star guard will try to lead his team to a season high-tying third straight win overall and its seventh in a row over the Wizards on Friday night in Miami.

As expected, Wade, the NBA's leading scorer last season, had the ball in his hands with Miami (9-5) trailing by one in the final seconds Wednesday night at Orlando.

What wasn't expected was Wade's 15-foot jumper straying well off target, but Beasley rose above the Magic's Matt Barnes to dunk the miss with 1.6 seconds left for a 99-98 victory.

Orlando tried to argue that the Heat forward committed goaltending but to no avail.

"When it touched my hand, I was just thinking, 'Dunk it. Dunk it. Dunk it,'" Beasley said. "Because I was so close to the basket, I honestly wasn't thinking about no offensive interference. Well, I was. But I looked directly at the ref, he was running down the floor, so I knew it was good."

Despite missing 16 of 22 shots, Wade finished with 24 points. He typically has a much better performance against the Wizards (4-9).

Averaging 27.8 points this season overall, Wade scored a season-high 40 in a 93-89 win at Washington on Nov. 4, and topped that effort six days later with 41 in a 90-76 home victory over the Wizards - the sixth loss of what would wind up being a seven-game losing streak for Washington.

"When you've got a team that's not playing as well and in disarray, you've got to take advantage of it," Wade said after the Nov. 10 victory.

The Wizards may have been frustrated and disgruntled before Tuesday night's home game against Philadelphia, but they seemed to unite after the death of 85-year-old owner Abe Pollin earlier in the day.

Washington avoided a three-game slide with a 108-107 victory - its second win in 10 games this month - after the 76ers' Louis Williams' 3-point attempt at the buzzer slid off the rim.

"I guess Mr. P, he probably contested that last shot better than anybody," Wizards coach Flip Saunders said of the club's late owner.

Antawn Jamison had a season-high 32 points and 14 rebounds in his first game since returning from a right shoulder injury, and Nick Young added a season-best 20 points while playing in just his seventh contest this season.

"It was a hard evening,'' point guard Gilbert Arenas said. "But at the end of the day Abe Pollin loved us so much that we couldn't feel the pain until after the game. We had to go out there and just play."

Arenas has averaged 26.5 points in the two matchups with Miami this season despite shooting 34.0 percent. Wade, meanwhile, has shot 50.0 percent and averaged 28.5 points during the Heat's six-game win streak over Washington.

The Heat are also seeking their fourth straight home win over the Wizards, whose last victory at the AmericanAirlines Arena was March 21, 2008.

Miami is 34-10 all-time at home against Washington.

Copyright 2009 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Michael Beasley's Game winning Dunk send the Magic home

The Miami Heat succesfuly defeated the Orlando Magic on the road. Despite the Magics 3-point shooting, Miami Heat overcame it all. Dwyane Wade was having a bad game until he stepped up at the 4th quarter. Michael Beasley had a great game grabbing 12 boards and 15pts including the game winning dunk. Jermaine O'Neal contributed with 16 boards and and 13 pts. Vince Carter hit a 3pt shot to get the lead 95-98. Then Dwyane Wade pulled up for a 3pt shot but shot an air ball in which Haslem tipped it back in the the cylinder. After that the Magic missed a shot and Miami Heat won the game by a Alley Oop Dunk by Michael Beasley. Jason Williams the ex Miami Heat superstar and Championship PG torched the Heat for 25pts and 8 assist. The Miami Heat wont the game despite not having there Small Forward Quentin Richardson. The Miami Heat fought hard and deserved the win despite Dwyane Wades bad night. The Miami Heat are now 9-5. Great win and now time to get back to work.

Allen Iverson Retires

One of the greatest player of all time plans to retire. He was one of the best ofensive scorers in the league. Allen Iverson representatives have told Stephen A Smith and his website that he plans to step away from the game to spend more time with his family. Although he is retiring he remains confident and wants it to be knows that he can still compete with the greatest right now. '' I still have tremendous love for the game, the desire to play, and a whole lot left in my tank. I feel strongly that I can still compete at the highest level''. I believe despite the fact the Iverson is retiring he is one of the most influential and greatest player to ever play the game. Allen Iverson the game will miss you but we all know somehow you will still be connected to the game.

Is Brandon Jennings the Best PG of the Draft

Lets give the kid some props he is playing extraordinary. My question to you readers is Brandon Jennings the best point guard of the draft?. Don't forget Tyreke Evans. Tyreke is playing very well for the Kings especially after Kevin Martin got injured. Back to Jennings, he had an amazing game scoring 55pts the other day. Is it a little bit to early to say he is playing better then other PG in the Eastern Conference. Brandon Jennings is starting to make skipping college and going overseas look like a great idea. Do you think if Ricky Rubio would be playing better then him or vice versa. Anyways enough of the gossip and lets see if Brandon Jennings could keep playing this well throughout the season. If he keeps playing this consistent then I'm afraid the the ROY award would be awarded to him unanimously. Lets not forget that the number 1 pick Blake Griffin is still going to come back this season and vows that he will come back stronger then ever. Lets not decide now but see what happens guys.

Miami Heat @ Magic Tonight at (7:30 ET)

So tonight is the big night. Miami tries to beat a conference contending team in the Magic. The key for miami to win tonight would have to be Wade, O'Neal, and Beasley having big games. The heat have to do a great job tonight in stopping the Magics 3-point shooting. If the heat defense fails to stop the Magics deadly shooting then its going to be a long night for the Miami Heat. The key for the Magic to win is very simple. Feed the big man in the post and shoot the lights out. I have a feeling Miami are going to Orlando prepared to come back with the big W. So enough said tune in tonight at 7:30 ET on ESPN.

Washington Wizards Owner Abe Pollin Has Passed Away

Washington Wizards owner Abe Pollin has died. He was 85.

His death was announced by his company, Washington Sports & Entertainment. He died Tuesday but no details were disclosed.

Pollin, the NBA's longest-tenured owner, suffered from a rare brain disorder that impairs movement and balance. He had heart bypass surgery in 2005.

Pollin tried to run his pro sports teams like a family business. He bemoaned the runaway salaries of free agency and said it would have been difficult for him to keep the Wizards if it weren't for the NBA's salary cap.

His Washington-area sports empire began when he purchased the Baltimore Bullets in 1964. The Bullets, since renamed the Wizards, won the 1978 NBA title. Courtesty of Nba.com and the Associated Press

Greg Oden Has Landed

Finally after having two disappointing rookie seasons, and yes i say two because he never played his rookie season remember? Greg Oden has been playing so consistent these past games. He is finally looking like the franchise player they thought he would be when the Portland Trailblazers picked him with the number one pick. Beating the Chicago Bulls 122-98. Greg Oden played 27 minutes and got 24 Points and 12 Boards. He is definitely getting his confidence back and is starting to smile. Something he has not done feeling like the world has been against him because of the disappointing season he has had. Greg Oden was cheered by the crowd followed by a tremendous dunk from the alley of Steve Blake. Give the man a round of applause and let Greg Oden be the guy we thought he would be. Welcome home Greg Oden.