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Wizards stunned at buzzer

 
Published Nov. 2, 1997|Updated Oct. 2, 2005

Tim Hardaway was 90 feet from the basket with precious little time to think.

"I knew I had just five seconds, so I just took the ball and went coast-to-coast," he said matter-of-factly, shortly after hitting a running 12-foot jumper at the buzzer that lifted the Miami Heat past the Washington Wizards 109-108 Saturday night.

The Heat squandered an 18-point lead but improved to 2-0 thanks to Hardaway, who also had a three-point play with 15.6 seconds left.

"Just two gutsy plays by me," he said.

After Hardaway's basket and free throw put the Heat up 107-106, a twisting layup by Rod Strickland put the Wizards ahead with 5.3 seconds to go.

Hardaway then took the inbounds pass from Jamal Mashburn, dribbled up the left side of the court and let loose with a shot that hit nothing but net, leaving the crowd of 18,291 at the Wizards' home opener in stunned silence.

BULLS 94, 76ERS 74: Host Chicago recovered from a season-opening loss and celebrated the unveiling of its fifth championship banner.

Ron Harper had 17 points and eight assists and Michael Jordan scored 16 in 24 minutes for the two-time defending NBA champions, who used a balanced attack to compensate for the absence of injured Scottie Pippen.

Allen Iverson, who missed Philadelphia's opener because of an NBA suspension, rarely flashed the form that made him the league's top rookie last season. Hounded by Randy Brown, Iverson committed eight of the 76ers' 27 turnovers and scored 13 points on 5-for-15 shooting.

The Bulls received their championship rings in a lavish pregame ceremony. Pippen, who says he will leave as a free agent after the season, choked back tears as he took the microphone and thanked fans for 10 years of "wonderful moments."

PISTONS: Guard Joe Dumars was placed on the injured list and will miss at least five games after pulling his left hamstring in the season opener. No one is expected to replace him on the active roster, spokesman Bill Wickett said.