Heat 97, Wizards 75
WASHINGTON -- Forward Chris Bosh scored 23 points and center Hassan Whiteside's defensive presence disrupted the Washington Wizards as the Miami Heat cruised to a 97-75 win Sunday night.
Whiteside only scored six points, but blocked six shots and altered numerous others while grabbing 13 rebounds for the Heat (20-13). Guard Goran Dragic scored 18 points in Miami's second straight win.
The Heat took control in the second quarter by outscoring the clanking Wizards 25-7. With Whiteside shutting off interior opportunities, Washington didn't score for the final 5:35 of the period while shooting 2 of 22 (9.0 percent) from the field. The Wizards shot 34.1 percent overall and set season-lows for points in a half and game.
Guard John Wall had 14 points on 6 of 21 shooting for the Wizards (15-17). Washington has lost three of four after winning four straight. Center Marcin Gortat had 12 points and 13 rebounds in the second meeting between Southeast Division rivals.
The Wizards won the season series opener 114-103 on Dec. 7 in Miami
Washington was already laboring offensively in the second quarter when guard Ramon Sessions' floater cut Miami's lead to 39-31 with 5:35 remaining in the half. Things then deteriorated. The Wizards ended the quarter with 13 straight missed field goals before the crowd of 17,793.
The misfiring continued and Washington never pulled closer than 14 points in the second half. The Wizards finished 4 of 29 from beyond the 3-point arc.
Forward Gerald Green scored 15 points and his fourth quarter jumper gave Miami its largest lead at 89-59. Guard Tyler Johnson had 10 points and matched Green, Bosh and Dragic with two 3-pointers. Guard Dwyane Wade had eight points.
Miami outrebounded Washington 54-45.
Wall missed 13 straight shot attempts during one stretch between the first and third quarters. The All-Star guard frequently drives into the lane for shots or passing opportunities, but less so against the Heat with the 7-foot Whiteside looming. Gortat, a 6-foot-11 big man, had multiple shots swatted by Whiteside. Garrett Temple, Washington's other starting guard, went 4 of 16 from the field.
Wall had five assists, snapping his streak of eight straight double-doubles.
NOTES: Heat G Dwyane Wade started after coming off the bench on New Year's Day against the Dallas Mavericks due to flu-like symptoms. ... Wizards F Drew Gooden was unavailable after returning to the lineup Friday for the first time in 21 games. Gooden re-aggravated a strained calf injury in Washington's 103-91 win over the Orlando Magic. The Wizards remain without G Bradley Beal (leg), PF Nene (calf strain), G Gary Neal (quad), F DeJuan Blair (knee) and G Alan Anderson (left ankle surgery). ... The series resumes Jan. 20 in Washington. ... Miami returns home to face the Indiana Pacers on Monday. ... Washington's homestand continues Wednesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.