Heat 123, Raptors 116 (OT)
MIAMI -- Dwyane Wade scored six of his game-high 35 points in overtime as the Miami Heat beat the Toronto Raptors 123-116 Wednesday night at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Returning from a six-game road trip with five days off in between games, Miami (27-12) has now won three in a row. Toronto (15-27) has dropped nine straight to the Heat and four of its last five overall.
The Heat outscored the Raptors 14-7 in extra time as Ray Allen added six points on a pair of three-pointers.
Alan Anderson's fourth three-pointer of the night gave Toronto the lead to open overtime, and Wade missed two of three foul shots. Anderson then added a jumper, tacking onto his team-high 20 points, but Allen responded with a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 114-113.
Wade's hook shot put Miami ahead 115-114 with 1:57 remaining, and he sank a pair of free throws to extend the lead to 117-114. Allen's next connection put the game out of reach.
LeBron James finished with a triple-double of 31 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. Seven Raptors recorded double figures in points as Toronto hit 100 points for the sixth straight game.
With the score tied at 109 with 53.4 seconds remaining in regulation, Chris Bosh missed a free throw but captured a loose rebound. James, however, threw an errant pass for a turnover. Following a defensive stand, James' jumper at the buzzer didn't fall, sending the game into overtime.
DeMar DeRozan had handed the Raptors a 109-108 lead with 1:07 left by hitting one of two free throws. Jose Calderon had connected on consecutive three-pointers, but Bosh's bucket and James' three-pointer evened the score.
Trailing 73-63 in the third, Miami went on a 25-11 run, connecting on 77.8 percent from the field. The Heat outscored the Raptors by 11 and led 88-84.
Wade's layup -- two of his 14 third-quarter points -- with 3:40 remaining made it 75-73. That gave Miami its first advantage since 8:54 left in the first in a 10-8 game.
In the second, Toronto captured its largest lead, 54-39, on Anderson's four-point play.
Miami trimmed the deficit to 57-50 at halftime with an 11-3 run in just under three minutes, beginning with Mario Chalmers' three-pointer.
Every Raptor except Quincy Acy had scored by halftime, with Amir Johnson pacing the team with 12 points. They didn't commit their first turnover until the game's 23rd minute.
With the score tied at 18, the Raptors closed out the first quarter on a 10-4 run over the final 4:42 to take a 28-22 lead. Toronto shot 63.2 percent from the field, the highest clip allowed in the opening quarter by the Heat this season.
Both teams found easy buckets, with 18 points in the paint. Before the Raptors' run, there were seven lead changes and six ties.
NOTES: Before the game, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said he wouldn't hesitate to play Chris "Birdman" Andersen, but Andersen did not get into the game. Andersen, who signed a 10-day contract with Miami on Sunday, hadn't played this season after minor arthroscopic knee surgery in August. The 34-year-old spent seven of his 10 NBA seasons with the Denver Nuggets, averaging 5.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. "He's actually had a couple of days to be with us and practice, which is unusual," Spoelstra said before the game. "These were not normal midseason practices. He's been able to fast-track a bit." ... President Barack Obama will host the Heat at the White House on Monday to congratulate them on last season's NBA championship. President Obama will also recognize the organization's support of the military through its Home Strong program. Heat players plan to meet with wounded members of the military while in Washington. "It is the pinnacle of the things that we've been able to experience together," Spoelstra said. "Thankfully we have the majority of the team back. It is a great experience and culmination of that year for our organization." ... Raptors coach Dwane Casey heaped praise on Calderon, who has started the past 19 games at point guard. Kyle Lowry began the season as the starter but missed time in December with a partially torn triceps muscle. Calderon has averaged 12.7 points and 8.7 assists per game since Dec. 12. "He has been super," Casey said. "He stepped in and did a great job of leading the team, running the show and shooting the ball. He is one of our best three-point shooters. Kyle has done a heck of a job, too, but they are different types of point guards. Kyle is more of an attack point guard who can get his own shot and make his own play, whereas Jose helps the other 14 guys around him." ... The Raptors conclude their Sunshine State swing Thursday in Orlando. Toronto will return home to face the Cavaliers and Warriors on Saturday and Monday. ... The Heat will host the Detroit Pistons on Friday before embarking on a four-game trip that begins in Boston on Sunday.
