The Miami Heat (3-2) defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves (2-2) 96-84 on Thursday.
Dwyane Wade was questionable before the contest Thursday with a migraine, yet shook off the ailment to tie his season high in points with 25 and lead Miami to a road victory over the improving Timberwolves. Wade also posted a season-best field goal percentage, shooting 58 percent (11-for-19), including a three-pointer. The veteran All-Star has scored 20 points or higher in all five games so far in 2015.
The Heat rebounded from a tough home loss Wednesday versus the Hawks and guard Gerald Green’s off-field troubles to put together a well-balanced offensive attack against Minnesota. All five Miami starters scored in double figures, with Goran Dragic (18 points) and Chris Bosh (16 points) supporting Wade’s performance with strong outings of their own. Hassan Whiteside came a rebound short of a second consecutive double-double in his battle with rookie sensation Karl-Anthony Towns.
The Heat improved their record to 3-2 and currently reside in third place in the Eastern Conference’s Southeastern Division. Miami heads to Indiana to face off against the Pacers on Friday.
Minnesota’s starters were largely stymied by their Miami counterparts. Of the starting five, only Andrew Wiggins managed double-digit scoring with 12 points, while veterans Kevin Garnett and Tayshaun Prince posted a combined two points in 24 minutes of court time. The Timberwolves’ reserves fared much better and managed to keep the game relatively close, with Shabazz Muhammad and Kevin Martin turning in a pair of 14-point efforts, and Gorgui Dieng pitching in 10.
The Timberwolves fall to 2-2 and second place in the Western Conference’s Northwestern Division. They head to Chicago for a date with the Bulls on Saturday.