Goran Dragic: Heat crush Wizards, Goran Dragic scores 18

The Wizards were led by John Wall, who had 14 points and 5 assists.

“We just couldn’t make a shot and we stopped looking to make shots and we over-dribbled”, said Wizards Coach Randy Wittman. They’ve shot better. Role players have surpassed expectations in larger roles.

Wall missed 13 straight shot attempts during one stretch between the first and third quarters.

Miami will return home in their next two games, facing the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks while Washington will take on East’s best Cleveland Cavaliers and Toronto Raptors at home in their next two. “He’s played extremely well through this”. Portland (15-21) has won four of its last five. Just six of 15 teams in the West are better than.500.

Washington, which had just nine healthy players and saw Gortat suffer an injury scare, shot just 34.1 percent.

Chris Bosh continued his stellar play with 23 points and 7 rebounds, while Goran Dragic posted 18 points and 5 assists.

Whiteside only scored six points, but blocked six shots and altered numerous others while grabbing 13 rebounds. The center was a defensive force in the paint, finishing with six blocks and altering countless other attempts.

IN twice recorded home victories over Miami this season, winning the first meeting by three points and the second by 13.

The Wizards have shown plenty of improvement lately, but the Heat looked to be in mid-season form in their last win and I’m expecting them to be leaving the nation’s capital with a solid win tonight.

The Wizards, however, could not sustain the effort.

There was a scary moment for the team when Gortat went down clutching his ankle midway through the second quarter.

It was a season-low for points for Washington, which was held to seven points on 2-for-22 shooting in the second quarter. (12) defend against Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson (8) and Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Washington. His presence made the Wizards reluctant to challenge him.

Bosh hit three straight baskets early in the fourth quarter as Miami built its lead to 80-53.