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Dwyane Wade scored 27 points to cover for Shaquille O'Neal and the Heat limited the shorthanded Bucks to three 3-pointers in a 100-83 victory, their third straight triumph.
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"We played well tonight," Wade said. "They did have some guys out but we know how that feels. We've been playing without guys all year, and we still were without Jason (point guard Jason Williams). We came out and played a complete game. We're trying to get to that point where we can all play together and get on a role. We're getting closer and closer."
Coming off a season-high 30 points in Tuesday's win at Chicago, O'Neal may have been showing the effects of playing for the third time in four nights since his return from a sprained ankle.
The 7-1 superstar made just 4-of-12 shots and did not break into double figures until the fourth quarter. He committed three fouls and played just nine minutes in the first quarter.
"I just have to watch my silly fouls," O'Neal said. "We kept our poise. We had a couple of big leads. They cut it close, but you didn't see us panic. We just came out and everyone played big tonight. We were very, very unselfish and we played with a lot of energy."
"(O'Neal) means a lot to us," Riley said. "I want to make sure he's healthy and in shape. He's been off for 17 games. I just want to see him healthy and energized."
The Heat were unaffected by O'Neal's low production as Wade and Payton carried the offense. Wade scored 19 points in the first half as Miami grabbed a 47-44 lead and Payton scored six points in a 17-8 run that opened the third period.
"Coach Riley lets us play," Wade said. "With this team, that's a little more to our liking. We can freestyle, and if all else fails, we've got Shaq posting up doing his thing. It's been working well the first two games."
O'Neal agreed.
"Coach Riley gives us that ability to just go out and play our game," he said. "The ball's moving around and everyone's getting higher percentage shots. We're looking good."
Meanwhile, the defense continually ran the Bucks off the arc, where they have made a living this season.
Shooting a league-best 43 percent from 3-point range this season and coming off a 12-of-19 performance from the arc in Monday's win at New York, Milwaukee missed its first 13 3-pointers en route to a 3-of-21 showing.
"We relied on 3-point shooting, but that wasn't there tonight," Bucks coach Terry Stotts said. "Obviously, that had an effect on the outcome. It's part of what we do and they didn't fall tonight."
The Bucks did not make a 3-pointer until Michael Redd connected to cut the deficit to 66-59 late in the third quarter. They entered the final period trailing, 72-64, and got no closer.
"We just struggled," Redd said. "We had wide-open looks, but this just wasn't our night to hit them. They guarded, but they didn't guard tight. It was moreso us missing wide-open shots. We just never got into rhythm from the 3-point line, but once again, we try not to live by that, because you'll die by that."
O'Neal scored six points in an early fourth-quarter surge and a layup and 3-pointer by Walker built the advantage to 86-71 with seven minutes to play. A 3-pointer by T.J. Ford pulled the Bucks within 89-80 with 4:03 to go, but Udonis Haslem tipped in a missed and Wade dunked to trigger a closing 11-3 burst.
Walker scored 12 points and Haslem swept 10 boards for the Heat, who made 7-of-19 from the arc and beat the Bucks for the sixth time in seven meetings.
Redd scored 24 points and Ford added 17, nine assists and seven rebounds for the Bucks, who played without forward Bobby Simmons (shoulder) and reserve guard Maurice Williams (thigh).
"We got a break," Riley said. "Bobby Simmons is a great play and Maurice Williams, they've been creating a lot of problems for teams. I'm not saying the other guys didn't, but they're more of a speed team with those guys in."
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