Heat Leaves Nets Sinking

The wake-up call came early Sunday for an 8 a.m. walk-through -- a decidedly unusual gathering in NBA circles.

“Make no mistake,” Udonis Haslem said. “It was grueling.”

But it worked -- and Dwyane Wade, Shaquille O’Neal and Co. are a win away from a return to the Eastern Conference finals.

Wade had 31 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, and the Miami Heat defeated the New Jersey Nets, 102-92, to take a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven series.

“We’re not surprised. When we play Miami Heat basketball on both ends of the floor, we’re a tough team to beat, at home or on the road,” Wade said. “We go home to Game 5 and try to close it out at home.”

Wade was sensational as usual, but it was the play of Antoine Walker and Haslem during a key stretch of the third quarter that gave Miami the cushion it needed to hold on for its third straight victory. The Heat can end it Tuesday at Miami.

“I’ve said it all year,” O’Neal said. “If we do what we’re supposed to do, we’ll be fine.”

Walker scored 20 points on seven-for-11 shooting and Haslem had 20 points and 11 rebounds, shooting eight for 11. They combined for 16 of Miami’s 22 points during the third period, when the Heat built its lead to as many as 11 points.

“They hit shots, they hit a lot of shots,” Nets forward Richard Jefferson said. “Udonis Haslem, I swear he didn’t miss one tonight.”

Jason Kidd tried to rally the Nets, collecting his ninth postseason triple-double and moving over to guard Wade after his hot start. But New Jersey could never regain the lead after the first quarter.

Kidd had 17 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists, tying Wilt Chamberlain for third on the all-time playoff list and moving one behind Larry Bird for second.

Vince Carter scored 26 points. Nenad Krstic had 20 points and 14 rebounds.

“It’s tough. You want to take care of business at home,” Carter said. “We put ourselves in the hole. We’re not going to hang our heads and say it’s over. I expect us to come out, stick together, play hard.”

The score was tied, 54-54, before Walker made consecutive three-point baskets for a 60-54 lead.

Carter made a basket, but Haslem made three jump shots in a row as the Heat pushed the lead to 66-56 with 5:42 left in the third quarter.

The Heat didn’t even need much from O’Neal, who took only 13 shots and scored 16 points.