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Dwyane Wade is
playing his best basketball of the season, and so are the Miami Heat.
With Wade's play opening eyes, the Heat hope to continue their recent success
when they host the Washington Wizards.
Wade scored 33 points, eclipsing the career-high he set last week, to lead five players in double figures Sunday as the Heat defeated the Golden State Warriors 104-93.
The rookie guard had 32 points Tuesday against the Atlanta Hawks, 22 on Wednesday against the Philadelphia 76ers and 21 against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday. Miami has won five of its last seven games, with Wade averaging 23.2 points in that stretch.
``He just seems to be improving more and more each day,'' Heat coach Stan Van Gundy said. ``I am sure he is going to have some bad nights in the future, but right now he is playing great basketball.''
Eddie Jones added 21 points and shot 9-for-10 from the field, and reserve guard
Rafer Alston scored 15 points Sunday. The Heat were 10-for-16 from 3-point range,
including Wade's consecutive 3s from the baseline early in the fourth quarter
for a 92-76 lead.
``I know shooting will open up not only my game, but will open up more for the team,'' said Wade, who has scored in double figures in all 10 of Miami's games this month. ``I can't drive the whole season. I have confidence in my shot.''
Miami has won four straight at home.
Washington lost 97-87 to the New Jersey Nets on Friday, failing to win back-to-back games for what would have been just the third time this season.
The Wizards last won consecutive games was from Nov. 17-19, against the Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Jarvis Hayes had 22 points and Larry Hughes 17 for the Wizards, who have lost nine of 11. It was the first time in six games Hughes has not led Washington in scoring.
Rookie Steve Blake, who has struggled trying to replace Gilbert Arenas at point guard, hit three 3-pointers in less than a minute in the third quarter and finished with 11 points.
Wizards backup center Brendan Haywood had a fever and sinus problem and was not with the team. His status for this game is uncertain.
STANDINGS (through Dec. 21): Wizards - 6th place, 4 1/2 GB, Atlantic Division. Heat - 4th place, 3 1/2 GB, Atlantic Division.
PROBABLE STARTERS: Wizards - F Hayes, F Jared Jeffries, C Etan Thomas, G Hughes, G Blake. Heat - F Caron Butler, F Lamar Odom, C Brian Grant, G Wade, G Jones.
TEAM LEADERS: Wizards - Arenas, 20 ppg and 5.4 apg; Thomas, 7.5 rpg. Heat - Jones, 18.7 ppg; Odom, 9.2 rpg; Wade, 4.3 apg.
SEASON SERIES: Heat, 1-0.
LAST MEETING: Nov. 14; Heat, 105-101 (overtime). At Miami, Jones scored 27 points to lead the Heat, and became the 24th player in NBA history with 1,000 career 3-pointers.
ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Wizards - 4-11 on the road; Heat - 8-4 at home.
INJURIES: Wizards - G Arenas (abdomen); G Mitchell Butler (knee); G Jerry Stackhouse (knee); C Haywood (illness). Heat - F Samaki Walker (ankle); C Wang ZhiZhi (leg); F Jerome Beasley (back).
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