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Dwyane Wade is back like he never left

The phrases seem to come right on queue.

Dwyane Wade shoots a floater against the
Philadelphia Sixers.
Every time Dwyane Wade has had a big game lately the narrative is always the same from sportswriters and fans.

"We're seeing vintage D-Wade tonight."

"Wade turned back the clock with this performance."

"He's playing like the D-Wade from 2006."

Let's be clear, Wade, 36, is far past his prime, but let's not act surprised anymore each time he has a big game.

On Monday, he single-handedly won game 2 of this playoff series for the Miami Heat. His 28 points in just 26 minutes off the bench helped Miami snap Philadelphia's 17-game winning streak and silence Kevin Hart and the raucous Philly crowd in the process.

Bad stints in Chicago and Cleveland caused fans to forget just what Wade is capable of: playing clutch in big games.

Since his return to Miami five months ago he's arguably been one of the team's best players.

The folks in Philadelphia likely agree after Monday night.

The Sixers entered game 2 confident they would take a 2-0 series lead after thrashing Miami 130-103 in the series opener.

With Hassan Whiteside struggling with foul trouble and who knows what else, the Heat needed someone to take charge on the floor. Enter Wade, who delivered for Miami like he has since entering the league in 2003.

He virtually carried the team on his back Monday. The future hall-of-famer cooked the Sixers with turn-around fadeaways, step back jumpers, slick assists and timely defense. With Philly trying to rally back late in the fourth quarter, Wade put the game out of reach by nailing a mid-range jumper right in star rookie Ben Simmons' face.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra had the perfect response after the win.
No, Wade's body won't let him play 40 minutes a night anymore, but he's proven more capable leading this team in limited action.

Longtime Heat fans weren't the least surprised by his performance Monday because they've seen it for 15 years.

Now it's time for the rest of the league to put some respect on his name.

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