MIAMI _ These have been the types of games _ at home, against non-playoff, undermanned opponents _ that Miami not only has won all season, but convincingly so.
So it was notable with a Wizards team missing three starters led the Heat in the fourth quarter before ultimately succumbing 112-103 thanks in part to late-game brilliance from Jimmy Butler.
Washington, playing with pace, gave Miami more aggravation than the Heat might have expected. A three by Bradley Beal pulled the Wizards within one with just under six minutes left.
But Butler then hit a three, Tyler Herro hit a three, and Butler set up Duncan Robinson for another three and then Bam Adebayo for a dunk. And that essentially settled matters, with Butler adding a jumper for good measure.
Butler finished with his second triple-double as a member of the Heat, with 28 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds, with a steal and two blocked shots.
Bam Adebayo scored a career high 24, to go with 13 rebounds and four assists.
Herro, with 22, had his fifth 20-point game as a rookie.
Miami hadn't trailed after the first quarter at home since opening night Oct. 23 against Memphis. But Washington led by 11 in the first half, by four at halftime and by one early in the fourth quarter.
But the Wizards scored only 38 in the second half after scoring 65 in the first.
The Heat moved to 9-0 at AmericanAirlines Arena and remained only of only two teams not to lose this season on their home court, along with Boston.
Both teams played short-handed. Miami was without Goran Dragic (groin), Justise Winslow (back) and Dion Waiters (not feeling well).
Washington not only was playing on the second night of a back-to-back set (having beaten Philadelphia on Thursday) but also played without guards John Wall, Isaiah Thomas, and CJ Miles and centers Thomas Bryant and Ian Mahinmi.
