Could the game have started any better for Michael Beasley?  He opened the scoring with a big dunk, and was very aggressive on both ends of the floor.  He had 5 points in the games first four minutes, but still looks a little uneasy when trying to dictate the play on offense.  It's nice to see him driving the ball though.  We know he has the raw talent; it just has to be fine tuned to dominate in the NBA.  He finished with 15 points and 5 rebounds.

Washington used a 12-2 run that spanned through the first and second quarter to go up by 10, but then (finally) starting missing some shots. The Heat took advantage of the Wizards cooling off and went on a 12-3 run that briefly brought them right back into the game.  Another Wiz run would put them up by 8 at the half and 11 early in the 3^rd quarter. 

After starting only 6-of-16 from the field, D-Wade scored 7 straight points to get the offense going, and the Heat used a 16-3 run to take their first lead since early in the 1^st quarter.

The Heat started the 4^th quarter up by 3 and with a very odd lineup.  Anthony, Haslem, Beasley, Wright and Arroyo.  Really...? The lead was gone in under two minutes as that lineup missed their first four shots.  After that, both teams began scoring at will and there were six lead changes spanning just seven possessions. 

With the game tied at 71 half way through the 4^th quarter, this game of runs was going to come down to which team could close with the better one.  With Dwyane Wade leading the way, the Heat finished the game on a 19-3 run.  Now the Heat are 6-1 for the first time since 1999. 

GAME NOTES

• At halftime Dwyane Wade told his teammates that losing this game would linger for the rest of the season.  The Heat responded by holding the Wizards to only 27 2^nd half points, possibly their best defensive effort of the season. 

• D-Wade scored 29 points in the second half (2 more then the Wizards), finishing with 41 on 14-of-29 shooting.  He also added 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and a block.  For the first time this season, chants of MVP rang down on Dwyane late in the game. 

• The Wizards starting the game on fire, hitting 6 of their first 7 field goals and finishing the 1^st quarter shooting 69% (11-of-16).

• It looked like Daequan Cook was going to make his comeback tonight, and despite dressing for the game, still sat on the bench with his shoulder wrapped up. 

• Dorell Wright gave the Heat some good minutes defending Gilbert Arenas.  You've got to hand it to him....he is utilizing the little time he has and playing well. 

• Mario Chalmers was another guy who woke up in the 2^nd half, hitting a couple BIG treys.  He continues to shoot the ball well while taking limited shots, finishing with 13 points on only 5-of-8 shooting.  He hit three 3-pointers, had 5 assists and 4 steals. 

• Jermaine O'Neal had a rough game, finishing with only 6 points and 6 rebounds.   I think the tough night had more to do with Brendan Haywood then anything he may have done wrong. 

• Quentin Richardson never got into the game offensively, but still had a significant impact on the game.  He drew 3 offensive fouls (2 charges, his 6^th and 7^th of the year) and grabbed all 5 of his rebounds in the 3^rd quarter. 

• In just 15 minutes, Carlos Arroyo had10 points, 4 boards and 2 assists off the bench.  Anybody not loving this guy?

Thursday night the AAA is going to be PACKED with LeBron James and his Cavaliers come to town.  With the sudden speculation that James could end up in Miami next summer, there should be plenty of attention surrounding this game.