Recap: Spurs vs Heat (Game attendant recap)

From www.thewhitehotheat.com (as a TX resident, I was actually at the game):

The Heat end their meaningless preseason winning streak at 2 falling to the San Antonio Spurs 90-73. Still waiting on verification if it can be counted as a Heat game since most players on the court will not be part of the team at the start of the season. In usual NBA preseason form, the game mostly served as a gauge for the coaching staff to scout who might make the team. Mike Miller, Mario Chalmers, Udonis Haslem, Carlos Arroyo and Dwyane Wade rested due to injuries and soreness.

Game Notes:

- The Heat started the game by continuously feeding Lebron in the post. It was a decent showing with mixed results. Most importantly, it drew attention from help defenders leaving teammates open. Lebron started the game agressively once again and looked to set the pace for the game early.

- Bosh must have forgotten to sprink the Automatic Midrange Fairy Dust, as he shot 1-of-6 from the field. The faceoff with TBPFOAT (I'm sure you can figure it out) Tim Duncan will have to wait for the regular season. The preview goes to Timmy.

- After defeating the Thunder the night before, Lebron and Bosh started but did not return after the end of the first quarter. Not a surprising decision on the latter of back-to-back games.

- Joel Anthony left at the 3 minute mark with 2 quick fouls, never to return. His absence was likely due to need for minutes to scout roster hopefuls.

- After Lebron and Bosh sat, the Heat looked towards James Jones to produce on offense. The lone 3-pt specialist had a decent showing, coming off screens and finishing 4-of-6 from the field, including a solid 2-of-3 from the three point line.

- Kenny Hasbrouck's chances of landing a spot in the roster are getting smaller every game. Kenny was a dismal 2-for-15, getting his shot blocked three times and making 1-of-his-mostly-open-6 opportunities from long range. His mental fortitude was shaken as his body language said "I'm not playing well and I can't shake it, when is this game going to end?"

- With Hasbrouck's lackluster performance came Beverley's shine. Starting the game in place of the unavailable Chalmers and Arroyo, Patrick played a team high 41 minutes meaning rest for a little over 1 minute the entire game. Even at game's end, Beverley did not look the least bit fatigued. "He doesn't get tired," Spoelstra said. "He has toughness." Beverley was overflowing with energy going after loose balls, keeping up with speedster Tony Parker, grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing 5 assists. At this rate of performance, Beverley could earn a spot as a defensive energy specialist to assign on the likes of Rondo and Rose in the Eastern Conference.

- Roger Mason Jr. continues to display athleticism modestly applied to rebounding and defense. He had a solid display of hustle and activity in a 2nd team high 36 minutes. Nothing specific stands out from the young man who has already had a great summer experience defending Lebron James in practice.

- First time sightings of Jamaal Magloire and Juwan Howard for the Heat. In an odd series of events, Jamaal got McDyess to bite on a pump fake. Twice. In the same exact spot and in the same manner. It was an awkard deja vu. Juwan showed his veteran skill set in his limited 20 minutes snagging 7 rebounds, scoring 8 points and drawing a charge on Spurs' rookie Cousins. Classic veteran move on a rookie.  Big Z was his usual self going 2-of-3 in his short stint.

- Dexter Pittman played a solid 12 minutes showing his skills in the post and bodying up the smaller defenders. The battle of the girth never fully materialized, DeJuan Blair sitting as Pittman entered.

- Shavlik Randolph curiously played 23 minutes although he is not a difference maker and is a roster spot longshot. The extended minutes are likely as a preseason filler.

- Mickell Gladness make his preseason debut with 4 minutes. Short but sweet. Actually just short.

Display reserved for dynasties

Walking past the envious display of championship trophies is a reminder of what the Spurs have accomplished in the last decade. The mighty Spurs have won 3 championships in the last 8 years, no easy task in a league dominated by big market powerhouses. They achieved it with defense and selflessness, every player relishing in their role. It's one more history lesson the Heat can learn from as the team grows and evolves. So far so good as they stick to the motto: good defense creates offense.

...On to game 4 of 8 in the preseason. The Heat will return home to host perennial Russian powerhouse CKSA Moscow (featuring former Duke standout Trajan Langdon and Sasha Kaun, former University of Kansas player and teammate of Mario Chalmers during their championship season) on Tuesday, October 12th.