Heat Wins Despite Injuries

Miami will have an opportunity to set a record for most consecutive road victories if it doesn’t run out of players first.

The Heat had eight players in uniform Sunday, and seven played.

Tim Hardaway, however, managed to compensate for the depleted roster, scoring a season-high 36 points, including 18 in the fourth quarter, as the Heat won its 14th consecutive road game with a 95-94 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

“This is an emotional victory, a great victory,” Hardaway said. “You have to give credit to everybody. We played good defense, we played good offense. We showed a lot of heart.”

Alonzo Mourning, Gary Grant and Sasha Danilovic sat out because of back injuries and Kurt Thomas had a sprained right ankle.

Hardaway picked up the slack, scoring 11 points in the first period and going seven for nine in the fourth, including two three-point baskets.

“Tim made some great plays throughout the game, not just the fourth quarter,” Milwaukee Coach Chris Ford said. “He’s a great player in this league. He’s been resurrected.”

The 1971-72 Lakers hold the NBA record of 16 consecutive road victories, and the 1994-95 Utah Jazz won 15 in a row.

Miami’s next two road games will be Sunday at Utah and Jan. 7 at Seattle. With two victories, the Heat would have a chance to break the record Jan. 8 at Portland.

New Jersey 110, Indiana 102--Kerry Kittles scored 28 points, including five points during a 7-0 run in overtime that led the Nets at Indianapolis.

Indiana, which lost to the Nets for the second time in three days, was led by Reggie Miller’s 37 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter.

Portland 110, San Antonio 86--The Trail Blazers outscored the Spurs, 21-4, over the first 6:18 of the game en route to a victory at Portland.

Isaiah Rider scored 19 points and Gary Trent added 17 for Portland, which led, 72-40, at one point in the third quarter.

Dominique Wilkins paced the Spurs with 16 points and Monty Williams added 15.