Dwyane Wade, LeBron James sit as Heat outlast Hawks in triple-OT

ATLANTA - The end of the Heat's bench Thursday looked like a commercial for a high-priced men's clothing store. Among the fashion models were Dwyane Wade and LeBron James.

On the court was a thrift store of desperation. Somehow, the Heat's mix-and-match ensemble lasted three overtimes and won it.

In its most impressive and exciting game of the season, the Heat defeated the Hawks, 116-109, in triple overtime at Philips Arena without two of the best players in the NBA and only 10 players in uniform. The Heat avenged its only loss of the season winning its fourth game in five nights.

It was a Herculean effort in just the Heat's third triple-overtime game in team history.

Mario Chalmers led the Heat with 13 points in the three overtimes and finished with 29 points, shooting 9-of-20 from the field. He started triple overtime with a three-pointer at the top of the key and then ended it with a driving layup with 59.3 seconds left.

The shot gave the Heat a 116-109 advantage and Chalmers pranced off the court and was met by James, who gave him a low five in celebration.

Josh Smith air-balled a three-point attempt after a timeout and the Heat began celebrating. James was the first player off the bench.

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Chris Bosh led the Heat (6-1) with 33 points and 14 rebounds. His 30-foot three-pointer at the end of regulation tied it at 93 and sent the game into overtime.

It was a breakout performance for Terrel Harris, the Heat's little-used rookie who entered the game having played only 18 minutes all season. Harris played 43 minutes against the Hawks and finished with nine points, 13 rebounds and four assists.

Udonis Haslem had 14 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. Shane Battier played 48 minutes, scoring nine points to go along with four rebounds.

The Heat outscored the Hawks 7-0 in the third overtime.

Chalmers, who played 49 minutes, tied the score at 109 with a pair of free throws with 23.9 seconds left in double overtime. Battier then blocked Joe Johnson's game-winning attempt, sending it into triple overtime.

The first overtime ended tied at 99. The Heat had a chance to win it at the buzzer but Chalmers botched the final play and could only manage an off-balance shot that banked off the glass and clanked off the rim.

Chalmers scored six of the Heat's final eight points and cut the Hawks' lead to 90-88 with 52.8 seconds left in regulation. The Heat forced a shot-clock violation on the Hawks' next possession, setting up a chance to tie the score or win the game. Less than three seconds separated the shot clock and game clock. Chalmers' three-point attempt caromed off the rim.

Still, the Heat wasn't dead.

Bosh cut the Hawks' lead to 92-90 with 10.4 seconds left and the Heat immediately fouled. Johnson made just one of two free throws, setting the stage for a dramatic end to regulation. A broken play ended with Bosh's long-range three-pointer.

Five Heat players in suits watched as a piecemeal lineup battled tirelessly against a team that handed the Heat its first loss of the season earlier in the week. James was out with a sprained left ankle and Wade was still nursing a bruised left foot he injured more than a week ago. Also inactive were Mike Miller, Eddy Curry and rookie Mickell Gladness, who has missed the Heat's past two games with an infection in his left foot.

With just 10 players in uniform, the Heat slowed down its pace offensively and clamped down on the defensive end. Miami entered the game leading the league in fast-break points but had just five in regulation.

The Heat led by 13 points after a three-pointer from Chalmers in the third quarter. Then Miami gave it all back. The Heat didn't score a field goal in the final six minutes of the third and the Hawks ended the quarter with a 16-1 run.