Heat dump Wizards, 105-86

By Tim Reynolds
Associated Press

MIAMI — They gave away a 17-point lead, turned the ball over 15 times, missed 11 free throws and received nothing resembling dominance from either Shaquille O'Neal or Dwyane Wade.

Didn't matter. The Miami Heat still won with ease.

Wade overcame a poor start to score 20 points, O'Neal added 19 points in 26 foul-plagued minutes and the Heat defeated Washington, 105-86, yesterday in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

"I look at the first half and the second half as two different games," said Wade, who had five points and four turnovers in the first half; 15 points and no turnovers in the second half. "The first half was the first game. I didn't do well. The second half, I came out and tried to be a little more aggressive."

The Heat's depth was a key factor, with Miami's reserves outscoring Washington's 36-5.

Keyon Dooling had 15 points, Eddie Jones scored 12 and Damon Jones 10 for the Heat, who have won five straight playoff games for the first time in franchise history and are 5-0 against Washington this season.

"Everybody's main focus is Dwyane and Shaq anyway," said Dooling, who was 6 for 9 on his 25th birthday and is 20 for 26 in his past four games. "So there's going to be shots and opportunities for everyone else."

Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said: "We gave them a run for their money, 36-5. We always have an 'X' factor. Today we had a 'Z' factor — zero."

Game 2 is tomorrow, with the Wizards looking to snap a nine-game losing streak against the Heat.

"We have a locker room of guys that love the challenge," said Larry Hughes, who scored 23 points. "We've been down. We don't feel like we're out."