NBA: Miami 98, Atlanta 72

MIAMI, May 1 (UPI) -- Dwyane Wade, playing through back spasms, scored 41 points Friday and sent the Miami Heat storming past Atlanta 98-72 to force a Game 7 in their playoff series.

The final game of the series will be played Sunday in Atlanta, the winner earning a meeting with top-seeded Cleveland in the second round.

Atlanta had won the two previous games to give itself a chance to close out the Heat, but got off to a poor start Friday and could not make a game of it in the second half.

Michael Beasley added 22 points and 15 rebounds for Miami. Joel Anthony, playing in place of injured center Jermaine O'Neal, pitched in six points with eight rebounds.

O'Neal suffered a concussion in the fifth game of the series, when he was elbowed in the head by Zaza Pachulia.

Wade was 11-of-23 from the field and made 16-of-17 foul shots. He was on the floor for 39 minutes.

Atlanta, still needing a win to advance in the playoffs for the first time in 10 years, was led by Mike Bibby with 20 points.

The Hawks' win in Miami last Monday was their first road playoff triumph since 1997.

The Hawks played without forward Al Horford, who suffered a sprained ankle in Game 6.