"Obviously, Dwyane is a living legend, especially when he's here in Wade county - everyone knows that", Booker said in reference to the nickname Miami-Dade County adopted to honor Wade six years ago. "He's really focused on being dominant, night in and night out".
"I think my teammates were cheering more than I was", said Green, who said he expects such contributions from himself. Last month in a loss to Golden State, Booker finished with 15 points and 10 assists to become the first Suns rookie with a double-double in points and assists since Steve Nash recorded one in 1996.
Goran Dragic collected 15 points and 11 assists for Miami (36-26), which has won 13 of 18 to assume the lead in the Southeast Division. Dragic has picked up his scoring with All-Star forward Chris Bosh (blood clot) sidelined and is averaging 19.6 points with four 20-point outings over the past seven games. Miami is 4-0 since landing Johnson, averaging 14.2 points on 62.2 percent shooting in a Heat uniform. The rookie guard went 11 for 21 from the field, made 3 of 7 from the three-point marker and shot ideal 9 for 9 from the foul line. He began the season with the 76ers but was cut January 4 to make room for F Elton Brand on the roster.
Booker's previous high of 32 points came January 19 against IN, and he joins No. 1 overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns as the only rookies with at least two 30-point games this season.
"It's unique and I like it actually right now, because it's another challenge for us", coach Erik Spoelstra said of the consecutive games against the same opponent. Philadelphia, the NBA's worst team, dressed only 10 players because of injuries to Jahlil Okafor (bruised right shin) and Nerlens Noel (bruised right knee), as well as the illnesses of Nik Stauskas and Kendall Marshall.
"You know when it's a rainy day and you get hot chocolate and you put a nice movie on and you tuck yourself in?"
Italians kidnapped in Libya may have been killed
Earlier, the official reported that 46 members of local brigades had lost their lives in clashes with militants since last week. Libya descended into chaos since the 2011 Nato-led military campaign that overthrew Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.
"We've had a lot of different challenges", he said.
"Now it's dealing with some success and now it's dealing with the same team 48 hours later, preparing for that and coming with another aggressive mindset". Whiteside said. "That's how comfortable I feel at the free-throw line".
Amar'e Stoudemire scored eight points in the first four minutes, helping the Heat to its early 18-4 lead, before departing briefly with a head laceration after being inadvertently smacked in the head by a Sixers player.
76ers: Visit the Heat on Sunday night.
NOTES: The 76ers signed C Christian Wood to a 10-day contract earlier in the day. Coach Brett Brown said he has a "gut feeling" Saric will suit up for the Sixers next season.
Sloppy play left Miami down three midway through the third, but the Heat recovered quickly to repel the 76ers, 112-102, at Wells Fargo Center.