Alonzo Mourning makes up for a less than stellar Shaquille O'Neal in Miami's 104-87 win.
By Associated Press
Published April 27, 2005
MIAMI - The storyline didn't change, nor did the outcome. Once again, the Nets held Shaquille O'Neal in check but couldn't find a way to beat his Heat.
And former Nets center Alonzo Mourning did the most damage.
Mourning, who wanted out of New Jersey so he could play for a title contender, had 21 points, and Dwyane Wade 17 points and 10 assists on Tuesday's in the Heat's 104-87 win for a 2-0 series lead.
In five games against the Nets this season, all Miami wins, O'Neal has been merely mortal, averaging 16.4 points and 10 rebounds. And the Nets still haven't come close to winning. Their average margin of defeat is 19.8 points.
Miami took a big lead thanks to a hustling Wade. During the third, he saved a ball from going out of bounds, tossing it to Damon Jones as his momentum sent him toppling to the court. Sitting along the sideline with the dancers, Wade watched the ball go to Eddie Jones, who dunked it to put Miami up 63-47.
It was part of a 16-5 run, capped by Mourning's hook shot to make it 69-49.
New Jersey missed 13 of 14 shots in the run to follow a pattern.
It missed 19 of 20 shots at one point in a 90-65 loss in Miami on March 12 and went 1-for-17 during a first-half stretch of their 116-98 loss in Game 1.
Vince Carter hit a short leaner with 7:32 left to bring the Nets within 79-67.
But O'Neal converted a three-point play on Miami's next possession.
