Wade ignites Heat to victory over Magic

MIAMI — Dwyane Wade scored 14 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter to spark the Miami Heat to a 91-81 NBA victory over the Orlando Magic on Sunday, stretching the team’s home-court win streak to 13 games.

Chris Bosh added 23 points while LeBron James contributed 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Heat, who improved their best-ever start to 33-11 and boosted their lead in the Southeast division to five games over the Magic, 29-17.

Orlando’s Quentin Richardson hit a 3-point in response to back-to-back Wade baskets to pull the Magic within 73-71, but Miami answered with an 11-2 run in which Wade scored eight points and the Magic never threatened again.

Wade, who went 13-of-25 from the field, scored off back-to-back Magic turnovers, two of seven for Orlando in the last quarter, then hit back-to-back baskets ahead of a three-point play by Bosh for an 84-73 Miami edge.

“We needed something,” Wade said. “We needed a dose of energy and I decided I would be the one to bring it. My teammates turned up the pressure on defense and I was just glad they were able to find me.”

Dwight Howard sank two free throws for the Magic but Shane Battier answered with a 3-pointer to give Miami their largest lead at 87-75 and seal victory.

“We’re only human. It’s tough to have that high energy every day,” Wade said. “We’re trying to find ways to win ball games. I wish I could tell you it was some magical potion but we’re just trying to get our rest and play well.”

The Heat, who split their four games against the Magic this season, improved to 19-2 at home this season.

Howard led the Magic with 18 points and 11 rebounds while Richardson added 15 points off the bench and Jameer Nelson scored 13.