After a slow start, the Heat came on strong in the 2nd half and took down the road-warrior Nets in OT.  A game that saw the Heat without Shawn Marion (back spasms) and the Nets without Devin Harris (hamstring) was still very entertaining, and the Heat gave the AAA crowd something to cheer about as South Florida prepares for a big day of football on Sunday. 

Daequan Cook started in place of Marion and played admirably, scoring 15 points and hitting 3 three pointers before fouling out late in the game.  His defense was key as he helped to shut down Vince Carter and slowed up Bobby Simmons. 

KEYS TO VICTORY

Our MVP Dwayne Wade started out the game similar to how he finished Friday night against Orlando, going only 1-of-8 from the field in the 1st half.  I felt the Heat looked to Wade a little too much early on, and that led to quick double teams by the Nets.  They have to realize when it’s ‘Wade time’ and when to keep the ball moving.

Wade would come back strong finishing with 29 points (15 in the 4th quarter and OT), but made his impact in a different way down the stretch.  Wade had 2 big blocks in the final minute of regulation, and another stuffing in OT on Nets center Brook Lopez. 

The Heat showed resilience after scoring only 14 points in the 1st quarter and going down by as much as 16 in the second before embarking on their biggest comeback of the season. 

BENCH COMES UP BIG   

Miami got 43 points from their bench, and that came from only three players.  The biggest difference maker was Yakhouba Diawara.  You would think that he was in there to make up for the missing defensive play of Shawn Marion, but Dia stepped up and hit 5 three pointers en route to his biggest scoring output of the year (19 points).  He was also a perfect 4-for-4 from the line, and his productive night can only make you wonder if the Heat can find room for him in the rotation.

Michael Beasley had his most productive game for the Heat in weeks, and hit 3 straight buckets in the 3rd quarter that brought the Nets lead down to 3.  He had 17 points and 7 boards and appeared to be playing with a confidence we haven’t seem from the rookie since early in the season. 

OTHER HEAT NOTES

Chris Quinn returned to the backup point guard role and came back as if no time had passed, hitting his first 3-point attempt.  I hope this means the end of the Marcus Banks experiment, and I’m sure most of you are with me on that one.

The Heat won the battle of the free throws in more then one way.  They took 16 more foul shots then the Nets, but they also outscored them 30 to 19 from the line. 

This was the Heat’s 5th straight home win.  They will get a day to rest before welcoming the San Antonio Spurs to South Beach on Monday night.  The Heat then will head out on a 7-game road trip. 

HOT READS

Tom D’Angelo talks about Wade’s great D in the Heat’s win over New Jersey.

Sarah Rothschild gives us a Heat injured player update.