Fourth quarter flurry helps Heat tame 'Wolves

THE Heat blew open a close contest with a 17-6 run in the fourth quarter to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 103-92 behind a 24-point performance from Dwyane Wade in Miami on Tuesday.

LeBron James finished with 22 points and 11 assists for the reigning National Basketball Association champions Heat who captured their fourth victory in five games.

Chris Bosh also scored 15 points to help the Heat prevail in front of a crowd of 19,862 at the American Airlines Arena.

The Heat won despite being out-rebounded by 24-52 and outscored in the paint 36-58.

"At end of the third and fourth quarter our offense was much more efficient," said Miami coach Erik Spoelstra.

"It is uncanny how they (Minnesota) are able to rebound like that. When we needed it we finally made the adjustments and got some team rebounds."

Elsewhere in the NBA, it was: Raptors 113, Cavaliers 99; Hawks 100, Wizards 95 (in overtime); Jazz 92, Nets 90; Bulls 100, Celtics 89; Bucks 98, Pacers 93; Mavericks 107, 76ers 100; Nuggets 112, Spurs 106; Warriors 103, Hornets 96; and Lakers 101, Bobcats 100.

In Miami, the Heat shot a superb 52 percent (13-of-25) from three-point range as Mario Chalmers hit 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. Chalmers had 12 points and Shane Battier went 3-of-7 from three-point range.

Andrei Kirilenko had 22 points to pace the Minnesota attack. Nikola Pekovic finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Timberwolves who lost their second straight after compiling a season-best four-game win streak.

Kevin Love grabbed 18 rebounds for Minnesota, but went just 2-of-10 from the field while ending with 11 points.

Miami has now won its last five games against Minnesota.

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