MIAMI – The Miami Heat sank their final eight free throws – including three by Shaquille O’Neal – and beat the Los Angeles Clippers 118-114.

Miami won with hot shooting from the field early, and from the free-throw line in the final 31/2 minutes.

Dwyane Wade, who clinched the win by making two free throws with eight seconds left, had 28 points, 11 assists and four blocks. O’Neal had 25 points and Gary Payton added 19, sinking a season-high five 3-pointers.

Elton Brand had 31 points for the Clippers, who lost despite shooting 54 percent. Cuttino Mobley added 28 points and 11 assists.

The Heat won their third game in four nights, and they’ve won five of their last six. They snapped a five-game winning streak by the Clippers, who lost even though they tied their season-high point total.

Both teams cooled off after a torrid first half, but the Heat finished at 55 percent and the Clippers at 54.

Miami shot a season-best 67 percent in the first half, while Los Angeles was at 59 percent and trailed 67-62.

The Heat fell behind by six in the third quarter but rallied and took the lead at 85-84. There were four more lead changes to come.

Sam Cassell’s 3-pointer put the Clippers up 109-108 with 2:30 to go, but the Heat regained the advantage on two free throws by O’Neal, and James Posey’s 3-pointer made it 113-109.

James Singleton’s 3-pointer with 9 seconds left cut the margin to 115-114, but Udonis Haslem sank one free throw after being fouled before the ball was inbounded, and Wade’s free throws sealed the win.

The Heat led 42-33 after the first period, their highest-scoring quarter of the season. They made their first eight shots and went 17-for-22 (77 percent) in the period, tying the franchise record for field goals made in a quarter.

The Clippers fell behind 24-9 but came back, making 16 of their first 23 shots. They pulled even at 44-all and took their first lead at 70-69 early in the third quarter.

Notes: Miami’s Jason Williams, sidelined by a cut on his right ring finger, missed his 15th game this season. … The Clippers fell to 9-10 on the road. They’re 2-12 when giving up more than 100 points.

AP-ES-01-30-06 2229EST