Struggling Heat even loses to Timberwolves

MINNEAPOLIS -- Less than two years ago, Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal were hoisting the NBA championship trophy and the Miami Heat was the toast of the town.

That seems so long ago now.

Despite a valiant effort from Wade on Tuesday night, the Shaq-less Heat trailed the worst team in the league by 19 points in the second half en route to their eighth consecutive loss, 101-91, to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Rashad McCants continued his sharp shooting streak with 27 points, and the Timberwolves (5-29) ended an eight-game slide with their best offensive performance in recent memory.

“We’re not exactly 28-5 this year,” Wade said of his 8-27 Heat, which has the worst record in the Eastern Conference. “We’re one of the worst teams in the league as well.”

Wade had 25 points, seven assists and five rebounds for Miami, which played its sixth straight game without O’Neal, who has a hip injury.

While the Heat has been shocked by its poor showing, the Timberwolves expected to struggle after trading Kevin Garnett in the off-season. Minnesota trailed by as many as 31 points in their previous game against Dallas.

“Sunday’s game was embarrassing,” said Timberwolves forward Al Jefferson, who had 18 points and 10 rebounds. “We had to take advantage of Shaq being out.”

All five Minnesota starters scored in double figures, and the Timberwolves scored 26 points off 18 turnovers by the Heat. Minnesota shot 62% in the first quarter of its first victory since beating Indiana on Dec. 21.

“I was trying to find someone that would guard somebody,” Miami Coach Pat Riley said.

Wade sees only one way out of it.

“We need to do one thing: play better,” Wade said. “It’s that simple. We know the system works. We just need to play better.”

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RESULTS, SCHEDULE

New York 105, at Chicago 100: The Knicks ended a seven-game losing streak by closing the game on a 14-2 run. Eddy Curry scored a season-high 29 points and Jamal Crawford added 24 for New York, which trailed by 13 points early in the final quarter. New York improved to 2-13 on the road.

at Sacramento 104, Orlando 100: John Salmons scored 21 points and Brad Miller had 20 to help the Kings end a four-game home losing streak. Dwight Howard had 29 points and 15 rebounds but also committed six turnovers for Orlando, which has lost three in a row.

Houston 92, at Washington 84: Luther Head’s season-high 24 points and Rafer Alston’s 15 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds helped the Rockets improve to 5-2 without Tracy McGrady (knee) in their third straight victory. The Wizards’ Caron Butler was held to 12 points on five-for-16 shooting.

at Utah 111, Indiana 89: The Jazz took a 28-point lead in the first half on the way to handing the Pacers their worst loss of the season. Carlos Boozer scored 22 points for Utah. Jamaal Tinsley, who saw the Pacers go 1-4 while he sat out because of a hamstring injury, returned with 13 points.

Milwaukee 87, at Philadelphia 83: Charlie Bell and Mo Williams each scored 21 points to help the Bucks improve to 3-1 in January, including three victories away from home. The 76ers lost their fourth in a row before an announced 10,045, the third-lowest total at Wachovia Center this season.

at Cleveland 95, Seattle 79: LeBron James scored 22 points and sat out the final 8:36 as the Cavaliers won for the sixth time in their last seven games and moved over .500 for the first time since Nov. 30. Seattle rookie Kevin Durant (24 points) sprained his left ankle and did not return in the fourth quarter.

at Charlotte 115, New Jersey 99: Jason Richardson scored 25 points and the Bobcats shot 59% in their highest-scoring game of the season to overcome Jason Kidd’s third consecutive triple-double (13 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists). Charlotte ended a three-game losing streak.

at Minnesota 101, Miami 91: Former Timberwolves Ricky Davis and Mark Blount were non-factors in their first game at Target Center since being traded for Antoine Walker and Michael Doleac before the regular season began. Davis had five points and Blount added nine.

Lakers 117, at Memphis 101: The Lakers never trailed in winning for the sixth time in their last eight road games. It was also their 13th victory in their last 16 games overall.