Mon, May 16, 2005 - Page 20 News List

Dinos edge toward sweep over Tigers

PRO BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS The Yulon Dinos took a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five championship series with an 87-75 victory in Game 2 in Taiwan's SBL

By Paul Huang  /  CONTRIBUTING REPORTER

The Wizards simply could not stop Wade, whether he was working himself open for a jumper or grabbing an offensive rebound and going back up for a dunk. He finished 13-for-22 from the field and 16-for-17 from the line.

"It was just about taking what the defense gave me," Wade said. "I had confidence in my pull-up, and I was taking that. Then the defense started getting confused, and I was able to get to the lane and make the basket down low."

O'Neal missed his second straight game with a deep thigh bruise that has hobbled him for several weeks. The sweep will give him a minimum of eight days to recover, with the conference finals against Detroit or Indiana not scheduled to start until May 23, at the earliest.

"It means we get a lot of rest," Wade said. "We're just going to try to go get healthy. This team is on a mission. Whoever our next opponent is in the next round is going to be tough."

A healthy O'Neal wasn't necessary against New Jersey in the first round or Washington in the second. The Heat went 15-0 against the two teams and are the first team in NBA history to sweep the same two teams in the playoffs that it swept during the regular season. Miami has also won 12 straight against the Washington over two seasons.

Damon Jones added 19 points from the Heat, including 12 points in the pivotal third quarter when he made all four of his 3-point attempts. Miami outscored Washington 40-25 in the third, opening an 11-point lead that became 13 when Eddie Jones opened the fourth with a basket.

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