Wade Shows the Way to Sweep of Wizards

Who needs Shaquille O’Neal when you have Dwyane Wade?

With O’Neal sitting out his second consecutive game Saturday night because of a bruise in his right thigh, Miami turned to Wade, who didn’t disappoint.

The second-year player scored 22 of his 42 points in the third quarter as the Heat swept into the Eastern Conference finals with a 99-95 victory over Washington.

Wade, 23, made all seven of his field goals and all eight of his free throws in the third quarter and set a franchise records for points in a playoff quarter and playoff game.

“He’s certainly a bona fide star in this league right now at his tender young age, whatever it is,” Washington Coach Eddie Jordan said.

Wade says his confidence is growing.

“When you go out, you feel a little different. The players treat you a little different around the league,” said Wade, who has been overshadowed by fellow 2003 draftees LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.

“Most people now think he’s in the top 10 or 15 players in the league,” Coach Stan Van Gundy said. “He’s earned as much respect as you can earn in your second year.”

But Wade knows he will need O’Neal in the games ahead and is looking forward to the center’s return.

“There’s always a Diesel flow to our team,” Wade said. “Shaq came to us before the game and told us: ‘I’m proud of y’all. You can do this regardless.’ And we did it with the help of our big man. He wasn’t in the game with us, but he was just as big in these two games. It’s very big to give him some more rest.”

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

The prognosis for O’Neal’s return is uncertain, but Van Gundy stressed the need for the center to return. “C’mon, he’s the most dominant player in the league,” Van Gundy said.