WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Brian Grant nailed two clutch jumpers in the final 65 seconds, including the game-winner after Michael Jordan had tied it, as the Miami Heat escaped Saturday night with a 97-95 victory over the Washington Wizards.
Jordan, who scored 37 points, has a career filled with dramatic shots late in games. He delivered again Saturday, nailing a game-tying 12-foot turnaround jumper over Eddie Jones with 19 seconds left.
The shot forced Miami to make a basket on its final possession, but instead of going to one of their leading scorers, the Heat turned to the defensive-minded Grant.
Former Wizard Rod Strickland, who dished out a season-high 14 assists, drew three defenders before kicking the ball to Grant for a wide open 18-foot jumper from the left baseline with only 1.4 seconds remaining.
Washington's first inbound attempt to Jordan was deflected out of bounds by Miami. Richard Hamilton received the second pass under the basket, but his layup was blocked by Jimmy Jackson as time expired.
Jones scored 25 points and Strickland finished with 18 as Miami avoided its first losing streak in more than a month. Grant scored half his 12 points in the fourth quarter and Alonzo Mourning also had 12.
Hamilton scored 19 points and Tyronn Lue added 13 as the Wizards lost for the sixth time in their last seven games.
