Bosch has 23, leads Heat over Wizards 97-75

By foxsports
Published

WASHINGTON (AP) Chris Bosh scored 23 points, Goran Dragic had 18 and the Miami Heat dominated the undermanned Washington Wizards in a 97-75 victory on Sunday night.

With just nine healthy players, Washington was outscored in the second quarter 25-7. The Wizards missed 20 of their 22 field goal attempts as the Heat took a 50-31 halftime lead.

John Wall, who led Washington with 14 points, hit just six of his 21 field goal attempts.

The Wizards shot just 34.1 percent and their 75 points were a season low. Miami allowed its fewest points of the season.

The Heat increased their lead to 80-53 early in the fourth quarter when Bosh made three straight field goals - including a 3-pointer.

Hassan Whiteside had 13 rebounds and had six of Miami's 11 blocked shots.

NEW HEAT

Miami has six players averaging double figures. It's something new and welcome for coach Erik Spoelstra. ''That's not necessarily like a Miami Heat team we've had. It's different, and I like that,'' Spoelstra said.

EAST IS BEST?

Washington coach Randy Wittman isn't surprised that 10 of the Eastern Conference's teams are over .500. Just six of 15 teams in the West are better than .500. ''If you're around long enough you see everything. It comes full circle,'' Wittman said. ''There was a time, believe it or not, when the East was better than the West.''

TIP-INS

Heat: F Josh McRoberts missed his 12th game with a bruised right knee. ... Spoelstra said that rookie F Josh Richardson, who spent two games recently with the D-League's Sioux Skyforce, may be given more time there when the Heat begins its six-game road trip on Friday.

Wizards: F Drew Gooden, who reinjured his strained right calf in his first game back on Friday after not playing since Nov. 17, was out. Wittman said Gooden's injury wasn't as serious as his first one. ... Were also without G Bradley Beal (leg) C-F DeJuan Blair (knee), G Gary Neal (quad), and F Nene (calf). ... Washington's seven second-quarter points were one more than their season low. They scored six in the fourth quarter at Charlotte on Nov. 25. The Wizards' 31 first half points were a low for any half this season.

UP NEXT

Heat: Host the Indiana Pacers on Monday

Wizards: Host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday