Shaq rests while Miami wins

WASHINGTON -- While Shaquille O'Neal sat, the phenom-on-the-rise had a dazzling coming-out party.

The Miami Heat swept into the Eastern Conference finals Saturday night, finishing off the Washington Wizards 99-95 with an unbelievable third quarter from Dwyane Wade.

Wade scored 22 of his career playoff-high 42 points in the third, going 7-for-7 from the field and 8-for-8 on free throws.

Now the Heat won't play again any sooner than May 23, giving O'Neal time to rest his bruised right thigh.