Heat send New Jersey packing

MIAMI - Dwyane Wade struggled all night offensively, so he sent the Miami Heat into the Eastern Conference finals with a huge defensive play.

Wade stole Jason Kidd's inbounds pass with 1.4 seconds left Tuesday night, depriving the New Jersey Nets of one last shot to extend their season, and sealing the Heat's 106-105 victory to win the series 4-1.

Wade threw the ball into the stands as time expired, and the Heat raucously celebrated their second straight trip to the conference finals. They'll face either Detroit or Cleveland in that series, which won't begin until at least Sunday afternoon.

''Dwyane just made a play,'' Miami Heat coach Pat Riley said. ''He just went for the ball.''