Miami Heat

The Miami Heat hired Randy Pfund as general manager yesterday and announced the resignation of Dave Wohl, executive vice president of basketball operations. "I have resigned from the Miami Heat to pursue other opportunities, both in and out of basketball," Wohl said. "I am proud to have represented the Miami Heat where so much progress was made in many different areas, both on and off the basketball court. " Wohl, who joined the Heat in their inaugural season as a scout, said he believed the Heat "will continue to grow under the leadership of Mickey Arison and Pat Riley into one of the finest franchises in the NBA. " After serving as a scout in the team's first season, Wohl served three years as an assistant coach for Ron Rothstein and was the Heat's television analyst for one season.

Tim Hardaway has agreed to a one-year contract with the Miami Heat, the Sun-Sentinel, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., reported yesterday. Hardaway, a member of the U.S. Olympic team, said the contract was being shipped overnight for him to sign. "I'm happy to get it over with," said Hardaway, whose one-year deal was believed to be worth $12 million, making him the league's highest-paid point guard. "I'm happy to be staying with the Miami Heat. I want to end my career there. " Hardaway, 34, had sought a multiyear deal earlier in negotiations, and last month, while practicing with the U.S. team, spoke out against the Heat's one-year offer.

The expansion Miami Heat ended its season-opening losing streak at an NBA- record 17 games last night, beating the Los Angeles Clippers, 89-88. Pat Cummings, rookie Grant Long and Billy Thompson scored 15 points each and Jon Sundvold 14 as the Heat built a 12-point lead, then held off the Clippers in the final two minutes. The Heat's 5 1/2-week losing streak had begun against the Clippers on Nov. 5. Last night's victory brought Miami up three games short of the record for most consecutive defeats in a season, set by the 76ers in 1972-73.

76ers Notes MIAMI - Power forward Elton Brand watched the 76ers' 106-90 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night with his mother. Brand, who was suspended one game by the NBA for his flagrant foul against Washington's JaVale McGee , was in Toronto with his team, but per league rules was not allowed into the Air Canada Centre. "My mom was in town, so we actually watched the game together," Brand said before Friday night's game against the Miami Heat. On Friday, Brand returned to the Sixers' starting lineup.

Shaquille O'Neal had 33 points, and the Miami Heat rode an 18-2 second-half surge last night to a seventh straight victory, 107-90, over the Minnesota Timberwolves. O'Neal added 13 rebounds, was 10-for-18 from the floor and - most surprising, considering he was a 46.2 percent foul shooter coming into the game - shot 13-for-18 from the line. Dwyane Wade added 20 points for Miami, which won its 11th straight at home. Kevin Garnett had 22 points and 19 rebounds for the Timberwolves.

Shaquille O'Neal won another personal matchup with Alonzo Mourning and the host Orlando Magic cooled off the Miami Heat with a 116-112 victory last night. O'Neal had 31 points and 14 rebounds to Mourning's 18 points and 10 boards as the Atlantic Division leaders improved to 29-0 at home and dealt Miami its first loss since coach Pat Riley remade the Heat with three trades last week. Anfernee Hardaway just missed a triple-double with 27 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.

Manute Bol scored his first basket of the season Sunday night - and even helped make a bit of NBA history - as the Miami Heat won their first game in eight. Yesterday, however, the Heat released the 7-foot-7 African, who had made a remarkable journey from his native Sudan to become a center in the NBA. Bol, very popular during his three seasons with the 76ers (1990-91 through 1992-93), was released so that forward Willie Burton, who had missed 18 games with a stress fracture of the right heel, could return to the Heat's active roster.

MIAMI - Ray Allen, the NBA record holder for three- point goals, told the Miami Heat he intends to accept their contract offer and leave Boston after five seasons. Allen made the move Friday night, even though the Celtics could pay him about twice as much as Miami will be able to next season. Miami could offer Allen only the mini mid-level, worth about $3 million a year. Allen, 37, cannot officially sign until Wednesday. Miami wanted Allen because of its ongoing quest to keep surrounding its superstar core of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh with shooters who extend defenses and therefore create room around the basket for the big three to attack.

Carmelo Anthony tied his career high with 50 points and the visiting New York Knicks won their ninth straight game, topping the injury-depleted Miami Heat, 102-90, on Wednesday night. Anthony finished 18 of 26 from the field, reaching 50 on a jumper with 16.9 seconds remaining. J.R. Smith scored 14 and Raymond Felton added 10 for New York. Chris Bosh scored 23 points for Miami, which played without LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Mario Chalmers, all held out with injuries that are not believed to be serious.

The defending champion Miami Heat handed the Bobcats their 16th straight loss, a 105-92 pounding Wednesday night in Charlotte, N.C. LeBron James had 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists, and Dwyane Wade had 29 points and nine rebounds as Miami extended its winning streak to six. The Bobcats haven't won since Nov. 24. Elsewhere: Tristan Thompson's three-point play with 24.4 seconds remaining gave the Cavaliers their first two-game winning...