Times wires
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
MIAMI — Not easy. But over.
For the first time since 2006, the Heat has won a playoff series — and, finally, can start thinking in earnest about another showdown with the Celtics.
Dwyane Wade had 26 points and Chris Bosh added 22 points and 11 rebounds as Miami advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals by topping Philadelphia 97-91 Wednesday night, ousting the 76ers in five games.
Mario Chalmers scored 20 off the bench and LeBron James had 16 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for Miami. Joel Anthony hit two free throws with 16.8 seconds left for the Heat, who will face Boston starting Sunday afternoon in Miami.
It's the first series win for the Heat since the 2006 NBA Finals.
"We're going to be ready," Wade said. "Philly got us ready."
Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand each had 22 points for Philadelphia.
And like four of the other five games in this series, it wasn't easy for the Heat, as a double-digit lead was cut to one in the final minute.
Philadelphia had a chance to tie with 1:10 left, but Evan Turner's baseline jumper bounced off the rim and James grabbed his 10th rebound.
Wade made a 3-pointer with 8:34 left, pumped his fist on his way up the sideline, and Miami was up 81-71. He crossed Iguodala over twice for baskets later in the quarter, each of those giving the Heat eight-point leads.
Philly wouldn't go away. The Sixers got within two on three occasions and — helped by a technical foul assessed by Steve Javie against Wade with 51 seconds left, cut Miami's lead to one point at 90-89 and again at 92-91.
Anthony made two free throws with 16.8 seconds left, restoring the three-point edge. Iguodala missed on Philadelphia's next possession, and Miami finally escaped.
James created a bit of a pregame stir by quoting rapper Jay-Z (who is a part-owner of the Nets). Asked after the morning shootaround about the need to finish Philadelphia to allow time to finally start preparing for Boston, James said the Heat were focusing on, "just finishing our breakfast," a lyric Jay-Z used.
Sixers coach Doug Collins shrugged it off as "an analogy." But some Sixers seemed to take offense — Lou Williams was giving teammates various breakfast-item nicknames before the game, saying some were fruit salad, others flapjacks.
After the game, Collins acknowledged being emotional in the locker room. "I've enjoyed the ride all year," said Collins, who insisted he plans to return if the Sixers want him.
Heat 97, 76ers 91
PHILADELPHIA (91): Iguodala 10-14 2-4 22, Brand 10-17 2-2 22, Hawes 2-7 0-0 4, Holiday 3-9 4-5 10, Meeks 4-8 2-2 12, Turner 2-10 0-0 4, Young 6-8 1-3 13, Williams 2-8 0-1 4, Battie 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 39-83 11-17 91.
MIAMI (97): James 5-13 4-5 16, Bosh 7-16 8-10 22, Ilgauskas 0-1 0-0 0, Bibby 0-1 0-0 0, Wade 10-25 5-6 26, Anthony 0-0 4-4 4, Chalmers 7-14 0-0 20, Jones 3-7 0-0 9, House 0-3 0-0 0, Howard 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 32-80 21-25 97.
Philadelphia 23 19 25 24— 91
Miami 27 18 27 25— 97
3-Point Goals—Philadelphia 2-10 (Meeks 2-6, Holiday 0-1, Williams 0-1, Iguodala 0-2), Miami 12-30 (Chalmers 6-12, Jones 3-6, James 2-5, Wade 1-5, House 0-1, Bosh 0-1). Fouled Out—Brand. Rebounds—Philadelphia 50 (Turner, Iguodala 10), Miami 52 (Bosh, Wade 11). Assists—Philadelphia 20 (Holiday 8), Miami 17 (James 8). Total Fouls—Philadelphia 18, Miami 12. Technicals—Philadelphia defensive three second, Bosh, Miami Coach Spoelstra, Wade. A—19,896 (19,600).
Report: Magic going to keep coach, GM
Coach Stan Van Gundy and general manager Otis Smith both will return next season, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Magic CEO Bob Vander Weide told the paper that he and owner Rich DeVos' family feel comfortable and confident in Van Gundy and Smith regardless of whether Orlando wins its first-round series against Atlanta. Smith and Van Gundy received contract extensions last summer through the 2012-13 season.
LATE TUESDAY: Lakers star Kpbe Bryant scored 19 points on a sprained left ankle to lead host Los Angeles past the Hornets 106-90 in Game 5 for a 3-2 series lead.
WARRIORS OUST SMART: The Warriors parted ways with coach Keith Smart, choosing not to renew his one-year contract after a 36-46 season.
WNBA: Reigning MVP Lauren Jackson of Seattle will skip the first half of the 2012 season to focus on training with the Australian national team in preparation for the London Olympics.