Bosh, Wade Turn Back the Clock as Heat Burn Nets

(Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)

BROOKLYN — Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade combined for 54 points and 12 assists as the Miami Heat defeated the Brooklyn Nets 102-98 on Tuesday night.

Rookie Justise Winslow chipped in 13 points for Miami as they kept the Nets (12-34) from building off of their impressive victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder this past weekend.

Andrea Bargnani led the Nets with 20 points off the bench. The Nets got off to a hot start and led 57-51 at the break, but were done in by 13 second-half turnovers.

The Nets were down 94-93 with less than two minutes remaining when Thaddeus Young missed a hook shot. On the ensuing possession, Luol Deng fed a cutting Wade, who made a layup while being fouled by Wayne Ellington. He made the free throw to put Miami up 97-93.

Deng forced a turnover on Brooklyn’s next possession, and Wade canned a 20-foot jumper to put the Heat up six. Donald Sloan hit a 3-pointer for the Nets, and Ellington missed a 3 that would’ve tied the game. After Ellington’s miss, Bosh sank one of two free throws to ice the game.

Joe Johnson has continued to thrive in his “point forward” role. With Sloan and Shane Larkin both struggling at the point guard position, interim head coach Tony Brown has decided to run the offense through Johnson. He finished with 15 points and 10 assists on Tuesday, but it wasn’t enough to hold off an injury-plagued heat squad.

Hassan Whiteside, Chris Andersen and Josh McRoberts were inactive for the heat. Starting point guard Goran Dragic has been dealing with a strained left calf, which has sidelined him for the past eight games. He dressed for the Heat, but did not play.

Two nights after pouring in a season-high 31 points, Brook Lopez finished with just 13 to go along with 10 boards for the Nets. Young had 12 points and five rebounds.

Next up for the Nets is a road trip down to Dallas to take on old friend Deron Williams and the Mavericks on Friday night.