Washington Wizards nearly blow huge lead, hold off Miami Heat

Despite playing without two of their stars and losing Goran Dragic to a back injury, the Miami Heat nearly overcame a 35-point deficit against the Washington Wizards.

The miraculous comeback fell short.

Nene scored 20 points and came up with a huge defensive rebound in the closing seconds as the Wizards held on for a 99-97 victory at Verizon Center.

Tyler Johnson was credited with a controversial tip-in after video replay overturned an offensive goaltending call with 1:08 remaining. That brought Miami within 98-97.

Nene then couldn't handle a pass on the right side of the lane, and the ball caromed out of bounds to Miami with 21.3 seconds to go.

Henry Walker, though, missed a shot from the left corner and Nene grabbed the rebound.

Bradley Beal made 1-of-2 free throws with 1.6 seconds left. Miami called a timeout after the second attempt missed.

The Heat inbounded with 1.3 seconds remaining, but Michael Beasley failed to get a shot off before time expired.

Marcin Gortat had 14 points and 17 rebounds for Washington, which was ahead 83-48 with seven minutes left in the third quarter. Beal had 17 points and John Wall dished out 12 assists for the Wizards, who have won two of three following a six-game skid.

Dragic had 18 points, but he suffered a lower back contusion after taking a hard fall late in the third quarter. He didn't play the fourth.

Shabazz Napier had 16 points and Beasley netted all 13 of his points in the final quarter for the Heat, who played without guard Dwyane Wade (sore right hip) and forward Luol Deng (right thigh contusion).

[SportsNetwork.com]