Game #5: Minnesota Timberwolves (1-2) vs. Miami Heat (3-1)

The Miami Heat will put their 3-game winning streak on the line tonight when they welcome the Minnesota Timberwolves to the AAA.  The Heat have looked better and better since their opening night battle in Boston, and now the question is if they can be consistent.  Judging by the way they have been winning, smothering opponents with great team defense, there is no reason to think they'll be slowing down.

This game will mark the return of former Heat 2^nd overall pick Michael Beasley, who was traded to Minnesota just hours after LeBron James went on ESPN to tell the world he was coming to Miami.  After starting the season with a rough 1^st game (6 points, 5 rebounds, 6 turnovers) he's put up double-digit points in the next two.  On the season, Super Cool is averaging a team-high 14.7 points and 7.3 rebounds in 28 minutes a game. 

Beasley isn't saying much regarding his return to Miami.  Though before being traded he had said that he wanted to stay and be a part of what the Heat were building (and who wouldn't...), now his focus is helping his current team rebuild after a 15-win season last year.  After the way Miami ‘got rid of him' following a couple inconsistent seasons and off the court problems, I cant say that I blame him for trying to focus on the future and not think about the past. 

Miami comes in playing some of the best defense I've seen from this team in a long time.  The offensive chemistry will come in time, and while they average 93.5 points per game (good for 22^nd in the league), the Heat are only surrendering 80.7 points per game.  That's tops in the NBA and 6 points less then the next best team (Orlando).

GAME NOTES

• The Heat are cleaning things up.  They turned the ball over 33 times in the first two games of the season but just 10 times in the two games since. 
• Minnesota, on the other hand, is coming off of a game in which they committed 30 team turnovers.
• Only Mike Miller (thumb) is on the injury report for the Heat.  He is out. 
• For the T-Wolves, Martell Webster (back) and Johnny Flynn (hip) are both out.
• The Heat have not allowed a field goal to a starting forward in 2-straight games. 
• Through their first 4 games Miami has given up just 323 points, a franchise low. 
• Miami has also held their last two opponents to under 36% shooting from the field.  A 3^rd game would be another franchise mark. 

Tipoff from the AAA will be at 7:30.  Lets Go Heat!!!