Game #17: Miami Heat (9-7) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (12-7)
The Heat will open a 4-game west coast road trip tonight in Portland. The Blazers have started their season pretty well, winning 12 games, and have been even tougher at home where they have won 7 of 10. While the Heat have been shooting much better of late, resulting in higher scores, Portland gives up the second fewest points in the league, surrendering just 89 points/game.
They are, however, coming off of their worst defensive effort of the season, allowing the Jazz to shoot 61% and score 108 points. That was Portland's second loss in a row, so either the Heat are playing them at the right time, or we're going to get our butts kicked by a really pissed off team.
Portland is led by their version of D-wade, Brandon Roy. Don't get me wrong, I'm not comparing the two...but every time I watch the Blazers I see something great from Roy. This year he has been joined by Greg Oden. Remember him? He's the guy who looks about 20 years older then he is.
While Roy leads the Blazers in points (19.7) and assists (5.2), Oden is having an equally good year, leading the team in rebounds (8.2) and blocks (2.3). Believe it or not, Oden should have better numbers. As he adjusts to playing in the NBA, Oden often gets into foul trouble which has limited him to playing just 24.6 minutes/game.
The Heat are finding themselves in limbo; a team that got off to an amazing start has seriously stumbled. Now...well look at the past week. An amazing win in Orlando followed by an extremely poor effort at home against the Wizards, then the Boston game which in which the Heat kept up with another top team in the conference, but this time came up short at the end.
Hopefully the return of Quentin Richardson will stabilize the roster and get the Heat back to the way they were playing when the season started. How much Q plays remains to be seen, as despite having Richardson back on in the lineup on Sunday, Coach Spoelstra played him for just 9 minutes.
GAME NOTES
- The Heat have been swept by Portland two years in a row, each year playing once at home and once in the Rose Garden.
- Portland is 0-4 when allowing their opponent to score 100 points or more.
- They are also just 3-5 when playing teams with a winning record. However, most teams with a winning record haven't also lost 7 of their last 9...like the Heat.
- More on Greg Oden, who also leads the Blazers in field goal%, shooting 63% on the year. More recently, he is scoring 16 points on 70% shooting over the past six games.
- The hottest Heat player? Probably Mike Beasley, averaging 17.6 points and 9.3 rebounds in the past six games.
Tipoff from Oregon is 10pm. Last time the Heat played there they got spanked, shooting 35% en route to a very embarrassing 106-68 loss last November.
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7 comments
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Comments
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Why is it that they tie the game in the four or take the lead in the fourth then they completely crumble?
I just do not get it!
Gatta love the effort of Mbeasy this kid is straight up ballin!
J.O playing like an allstar & of course lead by superstar flash D Wade.
The 2010 heat roster better look like this:
Starting 5:
Chalmers
Wade
Mike Miller
Beasley
Bosh or Amare
Bench: Patrick Beverley(rights to him from the draft), Cook, Robert Dozier(rights to him from the draft), Al Harrington, Drew Gooden, James Jones, Haslem, Dorell Wright, Quinn & Joel Anthony
by thedeeofdees on Dec 1, 2009 7:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
wade is putting up 51 tonight
final score: El Heat 115, Blazers 101
by chrislucas on Dec 1, 2009 9:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Im glad to see Beasley finally putting it together over a few game stretch
Wade cant be the guy to do it all again. If he has to be the only player doing anything then i have serious doubts about him sticking around next year. We need Beasley to make this leap and stay consistent. Id love to see him be a 20/10 kinda guy, but if he averages 17 and 8 for the year ill be happy because of the consistency.
by Keebler on Dec 1, 2009 10:56 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Blazers 103 - Heat 99
Will be a close, competitive game. Looking forward to it.
"I don't always read blogs regarding the Trail Blazers
...but when I do... I read Blazers Edge."
- resurrect_ha28
by FiveOhThree-RipCity!! on Dec 1, 2009 2:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Trail Blazer fan here
good luck Heat fans. Any word on Jermaine? I heard he may not make the game due to a family matter. I hope he can play. Jermaine is a tremendous talent. I was extremely dismayed to see Portland let him go. He really wasn’t afforded the PT he needed at the time as a skinny young kid trying desperately to develop. He’s tough and knows how to play.
Anywho… the PTB are itching to spank somebody so your boys better be ready
Dogs have Owners, Cats have Staff.
by bow4meow on Dec 1, 2009 8:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Oh hell, i didnt even know he had a chance of not playing
If JO doesnt play were in for a big disappointment tonight. Although i do like watching the Blazers play. Their always in interesting team,
by Keebler on Dec 1, 2009 8:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Beasley has been hot recently, lets hope he keeps it up
Current Phinsider Feud Points: 23
T.Lex doesn't want to be fed, he wants to hunt. Can't just suppress sixty five million years of gut instinct.
by Patssuck456 on Dec 1, 2009 10:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

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