Miami vs. Denver Game Recap
Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Dwyane Wade led five Heat players in double-
figured scoring with 22 points, as Miami earned a 96-88 win over the Denver
Nuggets at American Airlines Arena.
Jermaine O'Neal added 18 points and seven rebounds, while Mario Chalmers
netted 16 points for Miami, which moved to 5-1 for just the third time in its
22-season history. Quentin Richardson finished with 13 points and nine boards,
and Udonis Haslem had 11 points to go along with 10 rebounds off the Miami
bench.
"It's gong to take [a team effort] to be successful," Wade said. "I enjoyed
it, to see guys be confident and successful."
Carmelo Anthony led all scorers with 30 points and Arron Afflalo donated 18 in
a reserve role for the Nuggets, who suffered their first setback of the season
after winning five in a row. Denver was bidding for its first 6-0 start since
the 1985-86 campaign. Ty Lawson and Nene each went for 11 points.
"Sometimes we're going to play good and sometimes we won't," Nuggets guard
Chauncey Billups said. "You can't be on an emotional roller coaster whether
you play good or bad."
The Heat held a slim 23-21 advantage after the opening quarter, then Afflalo
tied things at 33 near the midway point of the second. Miami, however, would
close the period on a strong note.
O'Neal's jumper started a 17-5 run and Chalmers finished the surge after
hitting from three-point distance late in the period to give the Heat a 50-38
lead heading into the intermission.
A Wade jumper, Chalmers' three and O'Neal's bucket to begin the third quickly
put Miami up by 19 at 57-38 and the hosts would increase their advantage to
78-56 after three periods.
Denver would only get as close as eight points late in the fourth quarter as
Miami earned the 96-88 win.