By Joe Rizzo
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer
EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- In a matchup of the twolowest-scoring teams in the league, it was an old duo that helpedthe Miami Heat get back into the win column.
Shaquille O'Neal scored 14 of his 18 points in the second halfand Penny Hardaway's key long-range shooting helped thestruggling Heat to just their second win of the season with a91-87 victory over the slumping New Jersey Nets.
"We still had a lot of mental mistakes," O'Neal said. "We had a10-point lead, but they cut it down. I think we should havewon by 10 or 15 points. We have let a lot of games slip awayand, of course, all the games that slip away are my fault."
Hardaway scored a season-high 16 points, while making all six ofhis shots, including four from the arc. O'Neal and Hardaway -who played together in Orlando for three seasons - combined toscore 16 points in the fourth quarter for the Heat, who snappeda three-game losing streak.New Jersey had a chance to tie the game, but Richard Jeffersonmissed a layup in heavy traffic with under five seconds remainingand Dwyane Wade grabbed the rebound to seal the victory after nofoul or basket interference was called.
"I felt like I let my team down tonight with the way I played inthe fourth quarter and then with that last play," Jeffersonsaid. "It could have gone either way, I guess. Someone told methat someone touched the rim, but that's just what happens inthe chaos of the last few seconds. Regardless, I feel like Ishould have made the shot."
"Richard Jefferson was right at the rim," Nets coach LawrenceFrank said. "I don't know if he got fouled."
Wade's drive into the paint with 14.5 seconds remaining resultedin a foul against Jason Collins, although it appeared to be ahighly questionable call. Wade missed both shots, keeping theNets alive.
"We got fortunate at the end," Miami coach Pat Riley said."They had a point-blank layup I think some(one) might havechanged (the shot). We dodged a big bullet and got the win."
The Heat had a two-point lead after the third quarter but led bymany as 10 with 5:37 to play after O'Neal's layup. AntoineWright's 3-pointer with 3:24 left capped a 14-4 run that cut theNets' deficit to 83-81.
Wade had 23 points and nine assists in his third game - secondstart - for the Heat, who have both of their wins in the NewYork metropolitan area. Miami broke a three-game losing streakwith its first win since November 11, when the Heat beat the NewYork Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
"I haven't played basketball in six months," said Wade, who isreturning from a knee injury. "I'm trying to get the enginegoing. I'm not where I want to be, but I am happy to beplaying."
Wade was his old self as the game progressed, continuallygetting into the lane and drawing contact. He was 15-of-20 fromthe foul line, while O'Neal was 6-of-7. Udonis Haslem, whomade both of his shots, was the only other Miami player to getto the line.
"We're a different team when I'm in the game," Wade said. "Iput pressure on the other team."
With Vince Carter's sprained right ankle keeping him on thesidelines for the fourth straight game, Frank changed things up,inserting rookie Sean Williams and veteran Jamaal Magloire intothe starting frontcourt alongside Jefferson.
The new starting lineup was energized by Jason Kidd, whoassisted on all seven of New Jersey's baskets in the firstquarter en route to a 23-18 edge after the opening period.
Kidd finished with 16 points, 15 assists and eight rebounds andWilliams scored a career-high 22 for the Nets, who fell for thefifth straight game after opening the season 4-1.
"We were missing some players, so other people need to step up,"Williams said. "I guess tonight was my night."
The Heat outscored the Nets, 18-6, over the final six minutes ofthe first half as Miami took a 45-35 lead at the break. NewJersey committed 18 turnovers in the first half and finished thegame with one more field goal (27) than giveaways (26) on thenight.