Miami Heat Wins Sixth Straight, Moves Into First Place in Southeastern Division

The Heatles aren't back, but Miami's scruffy bunch of locals is playing some kind of basketball. A day after defeating the Toronto Raptors with an amazing, last-minute basket by shooting guard and long-ball wiz Wayne Ellington, the Heat beat the Indiana Pacers last night for its first win in Indianapolis since LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade played together.

By Chuck Strouse

January 11, 2018

Dragic has led the Heat past the Washington Wizards into first place Keith Allison via Flickr

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The Heatles aren't back, but Miami's scruffy bunch of locals is playing some kind of basketball.

A day after defeating the Toronto Raptors with an amazing, last-minute basket by shooting guard and long-ball wiz Wayne Ellington, the Heat beat the Indiana Pacers last night for its first win in Indianapolis since LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade played together.

The win moved Miami's winning streak to six and shifted the team to first in the Southeastern Division and fourth in the Eastern Conference. Ellington was again the hero, with a decisive three-pointer from 28 feet out that sealed the 114-106 win. Goran Dragic had 20 points, and Hassan Whiteside had his best game in weeks after being out with an injury.

In a year when the Marlins are being dismantled, the Panthers and Dolphins stink, and even Hurricanes football and basketball seem to have collapsed, the Heat is finally giving Miami fans something to hold onto.

Ellington has been the key to the team's recent wins. He is a journeyman who attended North Carolina, then played for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Memphis Grizzlies, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets. This year has probably been the highlight of his career.

So keep an eye on this 30-year-old. And keep watching the Heat, because at least for now, we have a winner.

Correction: An earlier version of this story confused Wayne Ellington and another Heat player, Rodney Magruder. We apologize for the error.

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Chuck Strouse is the former editor in chief of Miami New Times. He has shared two Pulitzer Prizes and won dozens of other awards. He is an honors graduate of Brown University and has worked at newspapers including the Miami Herald and Los Angeles Times.

Contact: Chuck Strouse

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