Heat thump Timberwolves, win first road game of the season

Miami picked up its first road win of the season 96-84 against the youthful Timberwolves in Minnesota Thursday night. Dwyane Wade led all scorers with 25 points on 11-19 shooting.

The Heat got off to a quick start, leading the Wolves 22-15 at the end of the first quarter. Minnesota stole the lead midway through the second but Miami would go on 17-6 run, in large part to Wade who had a terrific sequence to close the half. Wade had 11 points in the quarter, including an entertaining steal, spin and half-court heave that had the opposing crowd in awe. Miami led 49-39 at intermission.

Miami's starters would own the third quarter, scoring all the Heat's points. Due to the absences of Mario Chalmers (sore right knee) and Gerald Green (personal, illness), Miami's starting lineup all scored in double figures for the first time this season. In the fourth, the Wolves would lose grip of the game as Miami pulled away, leading as much as 21 a couple different times. Bosh had his way with Minnesota's front court on his way to 16 points and 12 rebounds but it was Wade's 25 points, his 5th straight 20 point game, that led the Heat to victory in Minneapolis.

The Heat had one of its strongest defensive efforts of the early season, holding the Wolves to just 35% shooting. Despite taking the most shots for their team, the Heat held the last two first picks in the draft, Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, to under 30% shooting on a combined 8-31 shooting. Miami also ran a lot of different plays on offense, looking a lot more smooth and experienced against the young Wolves, to earn its first road win of the season.

The Heat play the Pacers tomorrow night in Indiana at 8 P.M on ESPN.