Considering the itinerary includes a meeting with Michael Jordan on Wednesday and a showdown with LeBron James on Thursday, Heat guard Dwyane Wade could have had his mind on other matters Tuesday night.

But for the second time in a week, Wade found time on the schedule to finish off the Washington Wizards.

Wade topped his previous season high of 40 points in last week's victory at Washington by going for 41 in a 90-76 victory over the Wizards at AmericanAirlines Arena.

In guiding the Heat back from its first double-digit deficit of the season, Wade contributed to every point the Heat scored during a decisive 11-0 run to pull away late.

Wade got 14 of his points in the fourth quarter for the Heat (6-1), which matched the best seven-game start in franchise history.

The strong finish came after a sluggish start for Wade, who missed eight of his first 13 shots and was treated for inflammation in his shins.

``I knew my shot wasn't falling,'' Wade said. ``But I was just trying to be aggressive. We didn't want to lose this game. If we lost, later on in the season, we'd be kicking ourselves. That was my message.''

The steady dose of Wade was supplemented by a dominant defensive stretch in the fourth quarter, which Miami closed by getting 19 of the game's final 22 points. The Heat scored 27 points off 22 turnovers. Gilbert Arenas led Washington with 21 points, but also set a record for a Heat opponent with 12 turnovers.

Wade did his damage in numerous ways. He was 14 of 29 from the field and 12 of 13 from the free-throw line. He also had five assists, five rebounds and three steals.

The Heat held the Wizards (2-6) to 27 points in the second half. Michael Beasley had 15 points, Mario Chalmers had 13 points and four steals and Carlos Arroyo scored 10.

``In the second half, we understood our identity a little bit better,'' Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. ``Then Dwyane was able to do what he does -- greatness in the fourth quarter.''

The game played out differently early for the Heat than in a 93-88 victory against the Wizards last Wednesday.

A week ago, Miami swarmed from the start and led 27-8 midway through the first quarter. This time, it was the Wizards who established an early cushion.

When Dominic McGuire's jumper with 11:19 left in the second quarter put the Wizards ahead 31-21, it marked the first time this season the Heat had trailed by double figures.

The Heat had problems defending Arenas and center Brendan Haywood, who combined for 27 points and 10-of-19 shooting in the first half. Washington led 49-41 at the break after shooting 49 percent from the field, 50 percent from three-point range and 80 percent from the foul line.

Miami had won five of its first six games largely by holding down those percentages and has ranked among the NBA's leaders in points and defensive field-goal percentage.

Wade's aggression picked up in the locker room at the half, when he told teammates ``we'd be kicking ourselves in the butt'' if Miami lost.

``It's not something he's says; he's more of a do-er,'' forward Quentin Richardson said. ``He just goes out and starts getting it done.''

The Heat needed a 13-2 run in the third quarter to overcome that deficit. Wade's jumper tied the score at 58, and his three-pointer a minute later put the Heat ahead 61-59.

Miami looks to take its early season momentum into Thursday's home game against and a Cavaliers team led by James and Shaquille O'Neal. But first, Wade has a business meeting Wednesday with Jordan to promote his shoe endorsement deal.

Asked about Thursday's matchup, Wade essentially pleaded the fifth.

``Who do we play Thursday?'' he said. ``I'll check the schedule and get back to you.''

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