MIAMI-- Having a deep bench provides the luxury of having reserves to carry the load when the starters struggle. That's what the Miami Heat discovered on Wednesday night at the American Airlines Arena.
Gerald Green came off the bench to score 28 points and sparked the Heat's, 110-105, comeback victory over the visiting Washington Wizards. Sophomore reserve Tyler Johnson chalked 14 points and back up point guard Mario Chalmers added 13 points.
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra spoke highly of his top marksman of these preseason games, "He can score. You put him in a situation where he has space, he's ignitable. He's been very committed to the other side of the floor ( defense) and what we expect from that side of the floor( offense)"
The Wizards led by John Wall, opened the game with a 23-8 first quarter run that allowed Washington to lead by as many as 16 points in the opening half.
But the bench was the difference as the Heat reserves outscored their Wizards counterparts, 67-30, allowing Miami to erase a third quarter deficit.
Wall scored 14 points in 26 minutes for Washington while Marcin Gortat added 18 points and 13 rebounds in a losing effort.
Both teams will cap their preseason on the road Friday, with Washington playing Toronto in Montreal and Miami going to New Orleans.
Photo: Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra takes the podium after his team beat the Wizards, 110-105, on Wednesday night at the American Airlines Arena. (R.D. Garay@philboxing)
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