MIAMI _ There apparently still is a place for the big-muscle game in today's fast-and-fleet NBA.
So Hassan Whiteside flexed Wednesday night at AmericanAirlines Arena and the Miami Heat powered past the San Antonio Spurs 95-88, evening their record at 5-5.
The victory snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Spurs that dated to the 2014 NBA Finals.
Whiteside seized control on both sides early, allowing the Heat to push to a quick 14-point lead, ultimately closing with 29 points, 20 rebounds and nine blocked shots, a game after sitting out an overtime victory against the Detroit Pistons due to knee pain.
The Heat, though, still were shorthanded, with point guard Goran Dragic out with knee pain of his own and with Dwyane Wade away from the team due to a personal matter.
That turned the focus to Whiteside, who shot 10 of 18 from the field and 9 of 11 from the line.
Whiteside was supported by a season-high 20 points from surprise starter Wayne Ellington and a season-high 16 from Justise Winslow.
The Spurs, who also were shorthanded, with Rudy Gay and Pau Gasol not available, wound up with uneven performances from their centerpieces, with LaMarcus Aldridge shooting 2 of 14 and DeMar DeRozan 6 of 15.
It got close late when the Heat committed a backcourt violation up five with 40 seconds to play. But the Heat then got a stop and held on from there.
