It was the first time Wade had reached 40 points since getting a career-high 55 in April against New York. Quentin Richardson had 19 points and nine rebounds for Miami.

Wade took the spotlight away from Washington's Gilbert Arenas, who scored 32 but was 9 of 27 from the field.

Arenas missed a layup with 17 seconds left after Wade's jumper, falling hard to the ground after driving through traffic, and rushed a short jumper on the next possession with the Wizards trailing by three points to end Washington's chances.

Arenas gave Washington an 89-87 lead with 1 minute, 30 seconds remaining, driving the lane for a layup with one second showing on the shot clock. Jermaine O'Neal hit a jumper to tie it 19 seconds later.

DeShawn Stevenson missed two free throws with 44 seconds left to set up Wade's jumper.

Arenas scored nine of Washington's final 13 points in the third quarter. Wade outdid him, tallying Miami's final 10 points, including a last-second layup to tie the game at 66 entering the fourth quarter.

Miami had led by as many as 19 in the opening quarter, but the Wizards clawed back in the second period. With Arenas on the bench, Washington went on a 17-2 run to pull within to 37-36. Wade made sure the Heat would hold onto the lead with a pair of three-pointers, and Miami led, 50-41, at halftime.

Washington 17 24 25 23 – 89

   FG   FT   Reb   

MIAMI Min   M-A   M-A   O-T   A   PF   Pts   

Richardson 42:35   7-10   0-0   0-9   1   2   19   

Beasley 24:05   5-10   0-0   1-4   1   4   10   

O'Neal 32:52   2-7   0-0   2-7   2   3   4   

Chalmers 35:40   1-6   2-2   0-0   8   5   5   

Wade 42:35   14-26   10-13   0-4   5   3   40   

Arroyo 10:30   0-0   0-0   0-1   0   5   0   

Haslem 31:58   5-11   3-4   3-7   0   2   13   

Anthony 12:30   1-1   0-0   1-4   1   1   2