MIAMI (Ticker) -- After losing Vince Carter, the Toronto Raptors lost any chance at a third straight win.
Rookie Dwyane Wade scored 16 points to lead a balanced attack as the Miami Heat cruised to their fourth consecutive home win, 78-66 over the shorthanded Raptors.
One night after hitting the winning jumper at Orlando, Carter contested a baseline jumper by Eddie Jones with 9:04 left in the third quarter. He stumbled, fell out of bounds and banged his head and right knee. The superstar guard remained on the floor for several minutes before heading to the locker room.
"I got a shot in the face, but I'm going to be OK," Carter said. "I'll live. The knee's a little sore."
X-rays on his jaw were negative and Carter returned with just over five minutes left in the fourth quarter. But he appeared stiff and finished with eight points.
"I wanted to come back and play," Carter said. "I came back here and ran for a little while and tried to get loose and see how I felt. If I am able to play, I want to go out there and support the team."
Jones added 14 points and Brian Grant had 12 as Miami won for the second time in six games.
"It wasn't a pretty game," Heat coach Stan Van Gundy said. "That was sort of an old-time Heat game. It was pretty ugly, but we got the job done. I am happy with the win."
Lamond Murray scored 14 points for the Raptors, who were held under 70 for the fifth time in 16 games this season. Alvin Williams chipped in 13 and rookie Chris Bosh had 11 and 10 rebounds.
The Raptors were without Antonio Davis, Chris Jefferies and Jerome Williams after reportedly agreeing with the Chicago Bulls on a trade that would send Jalen Rose, Lonny Baxter and Donyell Marshall to Toronto. The deal cannot be completed until Monday.
"We have to play with who's here," Carter said. "It shouldn't be a distraction because everyone who is here is not involved in the trade."
"I think it is a good trade for Toronto," Jones added. "It gives them someone else who can score, who's athletic. I think every play is for Vince (Carter), and you can't win many games when every play goes to one guy."
Jerome Moiso replaced Davis in the lineup at center and had six points, eight rebounds and two blocks but did not do enough to intimidate Miami defensively.
Wade, Jones and Rafer Alston penetrated the perimeter defense at will and were able to attack the basket for easy buckets or set up teammates.
"I thought Dwayne was much better tonight at making plays," Van Gundy said. "He did not have any turnovers. He didn't force plays, and that is something we have been working on with him. He did a much better job of that tonight."
A first-round pick, Wade scored six points in the first quarter on two dunks and a layup as Miami built a 18-16 lead. Carter scored six points in the period and was the only Raptor who had extended success in the first half.
Toronto attempted just eight free throws and committed 21 turnovers that Miami turned into 24 points.
"We played from behind all night long," Raptors coach Kevin O'Neill said. "We had 14 turnovers in the first half. We played uninspired and lifeless. You're not going to win many games like that."
Trailing 61-46, the Raptors used a 10-0 run to get close with 7 1/2 minutes to go in the third quarter. But Miami responded with a 12-1 run over the next four minutes.
Lamar Odom had seven points and five rebounds in 26 minutes before fouling out for the Heat.
