The Nets season ended on Sunday the same way it began back on November 3rd, with a loss to the Heat at the Meadowlands. Behind 14 first quarter points from Dwyane Wade, Miami led by 11 points after one. The Nets closed the gap, trailed by 1 at the half, and took a brief lead midway through the third period. A 9-0 run helped the Heat take back control of the game, and after a Jason Kidd 3 pointer got the Nets to within 3 with 8 minutes left to go in the fourth, Wade led the visitors on an 8-2 run to put the game out of reach. Wade finished with 34 points and 9 assists, shooting 13 of 20 from the field. Eddie Jones shot 5 of 7 from downtown, finishind with 21 points. The Nets held Shaquille O'Neal scoreless in the first half, but the Heat went to him early and often in the second, and he finished with 17 points and 8 rebounds. Jason Kidd scored 25 points to lead the Nets, who shot just 40% from the field.
- Boxscore - NBA
- Wade Ignites Clinching Win - NBA
- Miami 110, New Jersey 97 - Tom Canavan - AP
- Dwyaned And Swept - Joe - JoeNetsfan
- Nets' Season Ends, and the Uncertainty Begins - Howard Beck - New York Times
- Nets swept, as Shaq & Co. are too tough - Dave D'Alessandro - Star-Ledger
- Quick exit is a guilt trip for Carter - Rich Chere - Star-Ledger
- Injured Shaq adds an insult - David Waldstein - Star-Ledger
- Mourning says Kidd fouled up - Dave D'Alessandro & David Walstein - Star-Ledger
- FOUR-GONE CONCLUSION - Bob Considine - Asbury Park Press
- Mourning happy he's on the winning side - Bob Considine - Asbury Park Press
- Men Against Kidds - Al Iannazzone - Bergen Record
- 'Zo faults Nets for rebuilding - Steve Adamek - Bergen Record
- Nets notes - Al Iannazzone - Bergen Record
- Kidd is swept up in emotion - Ohm Youngmisuk - New York Daily News
- No happy medium for longshots - Filip Bondy - New York Daily News
- For Riley, it's familiar ring - Mitch Lawrence - New York Daily News
- Wade has got it made - John Dellapina - New York Daily News
- Shaq manages to add final Frank comment for 'Laura' - Ohm Youngmisuk - New York Daily News
- HEAT COMPLETE SWEEP AT SWAMP - Fred Kerber - New York Post
- A SERIES TO FORGET FOR CARTER - Brian Lewis - New York Post
- Just too much Heat - Greg Logan - New York Newsday
- With Shaq hurting, Wade inflicts pain - Barbara Barker - New York Newsday
- Nets fed on energy of Carter - Greg Logan - New York Newsday