MIAMI _ There was an air of finality Tuesday night at AmericanAirlines Arena.
One aspect was inspiring. The other deflating.
On a night Dwyane Wade celebrated the final home game amid his retirement season, the Miami Heat were eliminated from playoff contention when the Detroit Pistons defeated the Memphis Grizzlies.
For as dynamic as the Heat were, fueled by the emotion of the night, in the 122-99 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, it was a reminder of how they so often failed to maintain such a level of intensity throughout the course of the season.
And, so, the final regular-season home game of Wade's career also became the final home game. Period.
Wade, cast in a starting role for the first time since his return to the team a year ago, closed with 30 points on 10-of-23 shooting, drawing cheers on every touch and an especially resounding one when he entered alongside fellow 16-season veteran Udonis Haslem in the fourth quarter. With the effort he passed Elgin Baylor for 29th place on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
He exited to chants "M-V-P!" with 62 seconds to play.
The Heat also got 19 points from center Bam Adebayo, 16 from forward Justise Winslow, 15 from center Hassan Whiteside, as well as 13 assists from point guard Goran Dragic.
It is the third time in the past five seasons the Heat have failed to advance to the postseason, with only one playoff-game victory over the last three years.
The Heat (39-42) close out their season Wednesday night against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center.
