The Heat are playing their last home game for a while tonight against the San Antonio Spurs; the Heat will then play 7 road games over the next 12 days. The Spurs have won 7 of 8 and are currently sitting in the 2 seed in the West, but I’m sure we all can remember the 16-point victory in San Antonio like it yesterday (not 2 months ago).

WHO TO WATCH

Matt Bonner can be a very dangerous big guy because of his range.  He hits the 3 with a high percentage but being out of the painted area so much limits his rebounding and blocking ability.  He was also very inconsistent throughout December, ending it on a sour note.  The last 4 games of the month he scored 11 total points and grabbed 12 boards.  However, in the first 2 games of January he’s scored 25 points and gone 5-of-7 from beyond the arc.  It will be interesting to see if the Heat use Joel Anthony to cover Bonner or Jamal Maglore; Anthony played only 12 minutes in the Heat’s game against the Nets when Udonis Haslem was playing center. 

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Another inconsistent Spur this year has been Michael Finley.  He could go 8-for-10 one game and 2-for-7 the next (which is exactly what he shot in 2 games at the end of December).  Finley is still very dangerous from downtown, something that is always a constant.  Over his last 8 games he is shooting 55% from 3.

Dwayne Wade had a big game when these teams last met, scoring 33 and only 1 assist away from a triple double.  Traditionally the Spurs have chosen not to double D-Wade and that could prove to be a big mistake tonight. 

Can the Heat get Michael Beasley more involved?  He played very well against the Nets and also had a good game against the Spurs in November; after driving his first couple shots, he was given some room and that led to him hitting several of his very accurate jumpers. 

KEYS TO THE GAME

Run Run Run…early and often and in transition.  San Antonio is susceptible to quick teams, despite their big guys taking lots of outside shots.  Miami’s quick backcourt should take advantage of the bigger, slower Spurs. 

Close quickly on defense.  With the lethal likes of Michael Finley, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, San Antonio is super dangerous from the outside.  Miami is going to have to have another strong game on D and close quickly on those pesky Spurs.  Anticipating the outside passing and not leaving anybody unguarded on the outside will be key, or the Spurs could pull away in a hurry. 

HOT NOTE

Shawn Marion is expected to return to the lineup after missing Saturday’s game with back spasms. 

HOT READS

Sarah Rothschild writes about the Spurs being a bit happier and healthier then the last time they played the Heat. 

Ira Winderman tells how the cost of victory is costing Michael Beasley minutes.