WASHINGTON — Washington made its first seven 3-pointers while holding Miami to 2 for 22 from beyond the arc for the game, and John Wall finished with 18 points and 13 assists to lead the Wizards past the Heat 107-86 on Monday night.
Rasual Butler scored 23, and Marcin Gortat added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Wizards, who never trailed and led by 21 in the first half and 25 in the second.
Chris Bosh led Miami with 21 points, and Dwayne Wade had 20 in his second game back from an injured right hamstring. A night earlier, Wade returned after missing seven games and scored 27 points in a victory at New York.
He played 32 minutes in that game, and 27 on Monday.
The Heat came into the game leading the NBA in 3-point shooting at 38.6 percent, but they made only 9.1 percent this time. They opened the game going 0 for 8 from 3-point range. Bosh finally ended the game-opening drought by making a 3 with about six minutes left in the first half.
The only other successful 3-pointer for Miami was by Norris Cole with 10.9 seconds left in the first half.
Shabazz Napier was 0 for 5 on 3s, Mario Chalmers was 0 for 4, Luol Deng and Shawne Williams were both 0 for 2, Bosh and Cole were both 1 for 3, and three players missed one attempt each.
The Wizards didn’t miss a 3-pointer en route to taking a 64-49 lead at halftime. That marked a season-best for a first half by Washington, capped by Wall’s buzzer-beating 20-foot jumper. After the ball went through the net, the All-Star point guard turned to face the crowd and waved his arms overhead to ask for louder cheering, then slapped high-fives with some spectators.
Following their perfect first half on 3s, the Wizards started the second half 0 for 4 until Wall made one. They wound up 10 for 19.
TIP-INS
Heat: Bosh and Wade were the only Heat players who scored in double figures. … Miami beat Washington 107-95 in the season opener for both teams. They’ll play twice more in the regular season.
Wizards: Improved to 7-2 at home. … Wall had one more assist than the entire Heat team. … Washington’s previous high point total for a first half this season was 57 points against the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 12. … Nene sat out his fourth consecutive game with plantar fasciitis in his right foot. Kris Humphries started in his place. … Wall banked in a 3 with 0.9 seconds left in the first quarter while being fouled; he missed the free throw.
UP NEXT
Heat: Host the Hawks on Wednesday.
Wizards: Host the Lakers on Wednesday.
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