Heat Beat Grizzlies, Getting Back On Track

You can't seriously think LeBron is the MVP over me...

The Heat did not come out like a team that had played an emotional ‘down to the wire’ game the previous afternoon.  They scored 7 quick points in the first 93 seconds to go up 7-0, and ended up starting the game on an 11-0 run over the first 2:45 of the game.  It was the kind of game the Heat needed…beating handily a team below them in the standings.  Now they can go into their back-to-back road games filled with confidence. 

If ever there was a time for the Heat to turn around their road woes it’s this mini road trip.  Both games are against teams below Miami in the standings, and neither Indiana nor Chicago are playing particularly well right now. 

Jermaine O’Neal was a late scratch from the game as he bruised his right hip during the Pistons game, but should be back on Wednesday in Indiana.  Jamaal Magloire filled in for O’Neal, and had his best game of the season.  He had 8 points and 8 rebounds in the 1st half.  He finished with 10 points and 12 boards, his first double double as a member of the Heat.

D-Wade had a solid game, which is exactly what he should have.  No need to go crazy and tire yourself out against the Grizzlies, especially with your team holding a double digit lead all game.  His 27 points 8 assists and 2 steals are great numbers, but the key is that Wade played just under 32 minutes.  Have a nice, rested D-Wade heading into back-to-back road games is a very good thing.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Michael Beasley is looking much more active of late.  He always seemed to be buzzing around the basket, scooping up loose rebounds and looking for 2nd chance points.  He had a great 1st half, scoring 8 points and grabbing 7 boards.  He finished with 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting and 9 rebounds in 27 minutes. 

Another game, another night of Udonis hitting his jumpers.  He his hitting stride at the perfect time…imagine the ‘old’ Haslem coming back just in time for the playoffs. 

James Jones hit back-to-back jumpers in the 2nd quarter for his first 5 points, both looked like the beautiful consistent J’s we’re used to seeing out of Jones.  Unfortunately, that was all we saw out of James.  He and Daequan Cook (5 points on 2-of-5 shooting) both were for the most part invisible.  

The Heat started the game going 4-of-5 from beyond the arc.  They'd finish 6-of-18.

They also won the rebounding battle 41-38, grabbing 15 offensive boards to go with their 13 steals and 21 assists. 

Miami has now won 5 straight home games.  This is a great time of year to increase the AAA ‘home court advantage’.  They’ll need to keep this streak going, as they play only 2 of the next 7 at home. 

IN THE STANDINGS

The Hawks won at home over the Timberwolves, as expected, but the Sixers knocked off Portland at home, not expected.  Everybody picks up a half game on Detroit.  Tomorrow has the Pistons @ Bulls, so we’ll say go Chicago. 

ON THE HORIZON

The first stop is Indiana, where the Heat have lost 13 straight regular season games, and 16 straight if you include playoff games.  Then it’s off to Chicago, a team the Heat has beaten with last second shots in their last 2 games (in Chicago the last game before the All-Star break, then the triple OT game in Miami last week).