Miami Heat win 115-91 in Dwayne Wade’s last game vs. Orlando Magic at Amway Center
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By James P. Hill
ORLANDO - Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat defeat the Orlando Magic by a final score of 115-91 at Amway Center in front of a sellout crowd of 18,846. The Heat’s victory marks the last time Dwayne Wade will play an NBA game in Orlando, Florida.
“It started [Saturday] night when we came to Orlando. They had a large crowd outside [of hotel]… As always, I just want to thank the Magic Organization for the video,” Wade said. “It’s always unexpected. I appreciate each player for the words that they said.”
In 23 minutes of action Dwayne wade scored 10 points, and dished out 4 assists.
During his 15 season NBA career Dwayne Wade is averaging 22.1 points, 5.4 assist, and 4.7 rebounds per contest. Wade reflects on his NBA career and impact on pro basketball in Miami, Chicago, Cleveland, and reuniting with Miami.
“You just play this game and you give your all to it and you really don’t think about the impact you’re making on future players at that time or even players in the league that you’ve played against,” Wade said.
James Johnson is Miami’s starting power forward in his 10th NBA season out of Wake Forest. He enjoys learning from Wade while competing in the Heat vs. Magic statewide NBA Florida rivalry.
“He wanted to go out with a bang and at the same time he’s teaching us so much so it’s just great to learn from him,” James Johnson said.
Udonis Haslem is a Miami native, and Wade’s close friend who has played his entire NBA career with the Heat. Haslem and Wade helped Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and a plethora of Heat Players bring 3 NBA titles to South Beach. Haslem and Wade will always be the heart and soul of Heat basketball.
“It’s been a footprint in the state of Florida for the last 16 seasons and the things he’s done not only in Miami but for the state and everything he’s done so the love is real,” Haslem said. “I think everybody is just coming out to support and even when we playing in away arenas. I think the attendance is up just because everybody wants to see his last opportunity in these different arenas.”
Wade won 3 NBA Championships with the Miami in 2006, 2012, & 2013. He’s the 2006 NBA Finals MVP, 12 time NBA All-Star, 2008 USA Men’s Basketball Olympic gold medalist, and the Miami Heat all-time leader in points, games, assists, steals, shots taken, and shots made. He is one of the greatest basketball players of all-time. Now he’s moving on to experience life after professional sports.
I’m 36, I have played this game since I was 5 years old,” Wade said. “And it will never be the perfect time to give the game up. I’m going to love this game for the rest of my life. I just felt like I want to embark on something else and give others the moral support that they deserve as well.”
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