Wade and Heat roll past Timberwolves, 96-84
Minnesota Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns, right, is fouled by Miami Heat’s Hassan Whiteside after a shot-attempt in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015, in Minneapolis. AP
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota—Dwyane Wade showed no ill effects from a migraine headache two days ago, scoring 25 points to lead the Miami Heat to a 96-84 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night.
Chris Bosh had 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Heat, who were playing one day after reserve guard Gerald Green was hospitalized for unspecified reasons. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Green’s condition had improved by Thursday, but it remained unclear why he was hospitalized and how long he will be away.
Shabazz Muhammad had 14 points and six rebounds on a brutal shooting night for the Timberwolves, who shot just 35 percent from the field. Andrew Wiggins was 5 for 18 and Karl-Anthony Towns made just 3 of 13 shots.
Goran Dragic added 18 points as all five Heat starters scored in double figures.
The Timberwolves were shooting 25 percent from the field deep into the second quarter, but the Heat were having trouble pulling away.
Wade suffered a migraine in the third quarter against Atlanta on Tuesday, but he was able to finish the game. He showed no ill effects on Thursday and helped Miami close the first half in a flash.
Wade scored on a drive, fed Bosh for a dunk with a beauty of a pocket pass, schooled Wiggins on a pump-fake jumper that drew a foul. And just when the Wolves were hoping to limp into the half with a manageable seven-point deficit, Wade poked the ball away from Ricky Rubio and heaved it 60 feet through the rim as the buzzer sounded.
Wade blew a “3 kiss” to the crowd, and kept working the young Wolves the rest of the way. He made 11 of 19 shots and is one of only six players in the league to score at least 20 points in every game this season.
Hassan Whiteside had 12 points and nine rebounds for Miami. He blocked four shots but altered countless others in a dominant effort in the paint.
Heat guard Mario Chalmers did not play while resting a sore right knee. The night off may have been as good for him mentally as it was physically after a harrowing couple of days. Chalmers was the subject of trade rumors earlier this week, then rode in the ambulance as Green was rushed to the hospital on Wednesday. “You know I just tried to be there for my teammate,” Chalmers said.
