The Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS—The Miami Heat were pummelling the young Minnesota Timberwolves into submission, but couldn’t quite get the knockout punch they were looking for.
Dwyane Wade delivered it. In a flash.
Wade showed no ill effects from a migraine headache two days ago, scoring 25 points to lead the Heat to a 96-84 victory last night.
Wade’s 60-foot heave at the end of the first half punctuated a dazzling final three minutes that turned a three-point lead into a 10-point advantage.
In a game in which the Timberwolves couldn’t make a shot, that was more than enough.
“It was a good moment,” Wade said. “I just watched it on Instagram and I [saw] the team.
“A lot of guys knew it was in when I shot it. Just a cool moment.”
Chris Bosh had 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Heat, who were playing one day after reserve guard Gerald Green was hospitalized for unspecified reasons.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Green’s condition had improved by yesterday, but it remained unclear why he was hospitalized and how long he will be away.
Shabazz Muhammad had 14 points and six rebounds on a brutal shooting night for the Timberwolves, who shot just 35 percent from the field.
Andrew Wiggins was 5-for-18 while Karl-Anthony Towns made just 3-of-13 shots.
“We didn’t play like a team tonight,” Muhammad said. “We played like a bunch of individuals.
“That’s something we have to learn.
“I know we have a lot of young guys but it’s about winning,” he stressed.
Goran Dragic added 18 points as all five Heat starters scored in double figures and outscored Minnesota’s starters 81-29.
Wade suffered a migraine in the third quarter against Atlanta on Tuesday, but he was able to finish the game.
He looked like his old self last night and helped Miami close the first half.
Wade scored on a drive, fed Bosh for a dunk, and schooled Wiggins on a pump-fake jumper that drew a foul.
And just when the Wolves were hoping to limp into the half with a manageable seven-point deficit, Wade poked the ball away from Ricky Rubio and let it fly as the buzzer sounded.
Splash.
Wade blew a “3 kiss” to the crowd, and kept working the young T’wolves the rest of the way.
He made 11-of-19 shots, and is one of only six players in the league to score at least 20 points in every game so far this season.
Elsewhere in the NBA, Chicago beat Oklahoma City 104-98, Charlotte downed Dallas 108-94, Utah dumped Denver 96-84, and Portland bounced Memphis 115-96.
