Wizards stun James, Heat for second win
by Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY Sports
WASHINGTON — Miami Heat forward LeBron James had a triple-double — his first of the year — with 26 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. Guard Dwyane Wade had 20 points. Forward Chris Bosh had 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Normally, that is the equation for a Heat victory against any team in the league, let alone the Washington Wizards, the team with the worst record in the league.
But with Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III sitting courtside next to the Wizards’ bench and bringing a little of his magic to a team in dire need of it, the Wizards defeated the defending champion Heat 105-101 Tuesday.
“I told them before the game that we needed a statement win, and what better way to do that than to beat this team,” Wizards coach Randy Wittman said.
Washington is now 2-13 with one of them more improbable victories in this young season, and oddly, it was Washington’s third consecutive victory against Miami, counting two games late last season.
Wittman called the victory one of the most satisfying of his career.
“It’s got to rank right up there. I’m not going to lie to you guys, with all the circumstances involved. I’ll be able to sleep tonight,” Wittman said of season that began with a franchise-worst 12-game losing streak.
But any way it’s broken down, the Wizards have the worst offense the league. Entering the game, they were:
Against Miami, Washington found offense with a season-high in points in regulation and assists (31) and equaled its season-high in shooting percentage (48.1%). They also scored a season-high for points in the first half with 60.
“That’s as good as we’ve moved the ball all season,” Wittman said.
Added rookie guard Bradley Beal, “Throughout the whole week of practice, that’s literally all we’ve been doing. Passing the ball up the court. Moving the ball. Making sure everyone basically touches it. When you do that, it gets the defense moving and they get … [For more on Wizards stun LeBron James, Heat for second win of season, click here.]
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