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Tuesday, Mar. 14 7:30pm ET
First-time starter Bowen sparks Heat | |||||
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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
MIAMI (AP) -- Just two days after snapping the NBA's longest home-winning streak in Indiana, the Heat needed an heroic effort from unheralded Bruce Bowen to preserve its own homecourt streak. The Heat, sparked by first-time starter Bowen's two 3-pointers, tied a franchise record with their 12th straight home victory, 108-104 over Milwaukee on Tuesday night.
On Sunday, Miami stopped Indiana's 25-game home-winning streak, but the Bucks led 67-54 at halftime after shooting 63.6 percent. "You can't assume anything," said Heat forward P.J. Brown. "All you have to do is look at Indiana; I'm sure they assumed they were going to beat us." Clarence Weatherspoon scored all 11 of his points in the fourth quarter, enabling the Heat to match its Feb. 15-March 26, 1993 12-game home winning streak. Jamal Mashburn scored 28 points, while Alonzo Mourning added 22 points and 17 rebounds. Ray Allen paced the Bucks with 26 points. Sam Cassell had 22 and Glenn Robinson added 20, but the Bucks were unable to hold onto a 15-point lead and they fell behind Orlando by a game for the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. "As the game goes on, good defensive teams understand what you're doing and make adjustments," Bucks coach George Karl said, referring to his team shooting just 30.5 percent in the second half. "I thought we ran out of gas, energy-wise." Bowen, who started in place of injured guard Dan Majerle, scored 11 points, including a 3-pointer to give Miami a 99-94 lead with 3:29 left. Rookie Rodney Buford also provided the Heat with an energy boost, scoring 11, including a crowd-pleasing dunk. "We played so much harder in the second half," Heat coach Pat Riley said. "Some of the young guys really stepped up." Allen's 3 and two free throws helped the Bucks creep within 100-99 with 2:45 remaining. But Tim Hardaway, who had 17 points and eight assists, nailed a 15-footer. Then, following a Bucks turnover, Bowen hit another 3 to boost Miami's lead to 105-99. Miami led 107-103 when Cassell's drive was blocked by Mourning with 1:11 left to secure the Heat's first win over Milwaukee in three tries this season. "That's outrageous," Cassell said. "But it shows you what kind of impact Zo has in the basketball game. His back was turned and he still got a piece of it. A big play." Mashburn followed his 13-point second quarter with 11 more in the third to help Miami outscore Milwaukee 26-12 and take an 80-79 lead into the fourth period. The Bucks shot 63 percent in the first half, with Robinson and Cassell getting 16 points apiece on a combined 15-of-22 shooting, helping Milwaukee to a 67-54 lead. It was the most points given up by the Heat in any half this season. Milwaukee shot 65.2 percent in the first quarter to grab a 32-23 lead. Robinson was 4-of-6 for nine points and Cassell was 5-of-6 for 10. Hardaway kept the Heat close with 13, including 6-of-6 from the foul line.
Game notes | ALSO SEE NBA Scoreboard Milwaukee Clubhouse Miami Clubhouse RECAPS Toronto 85 Golden State 78
Miami 108
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