Heat feels much better with Wade in lineup

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- A return of the usual Dwyane Wade, combined with a glimpse of the old Penny Hardaway.

Suddenly, the Miami Heat didn’t look so bad anymore.

Wade scored 23 points, Hardaway added 16 in his best game since returning to the NBA, and the Heat beat the New Jersey Nets, 91-87, on Saturday night for its second victory of the season.

Shaquille O’Neal had 18 points for the Heat (2-8), which ended a three-game skid and sent the Nets to their fifth consecutive loss. Hardaway was six for six from the field, making three three-pointers in the fourth quarter, as Miami turned in another improved effort after nearly beating undefeated Boston on Friday.

“Finally, tonight it all came together. I’ve been working so hard,” Hardaway said. “These last two games are huge because our confidence is at another level. We may be the most confident team at 2-8 in the history of the NBA. We know where we’re going. We’ve got our leader back and we’re taking great strides in the right direction.”

Wade made only four of 17 shots from the field in his third game of the season, but he made 15 of 20 free throws before a clinching jumper in the final second.

“I’m not where I want to be but I’m happy to be playing and happy to help make a difference with my teammates,” he said. “We’re a different team when I’m in the game, of course.”

Jason Kidd had 16 points and 15 assists, but the Nets couldn’t overcome a season-high 27 turnovers.