Game #78: Philadelphia 76ers (26-51) vs. Miami Heat (43-34)

by David Dwork on Apr 7, 2010 1:30 AM EDT

After a nice, relatively long rest, the Heat will get back at it tonight against the visiting Sixers in front of their home fans at the AAA. Some of the main things we have been discussing lately are the Heat's remaining schedule and who they could end up playing against in the Playoffs.

While its something that we have been playing a bit of attention to, the Heat players could care less. Their main concern is developing consistency and playing at the highest level possible heading into the post season. Over the past 5 weeks they have done exactly that, winning 14 of their last 17 games. A big part of their success has come from their leader, Dwyane Wade. Wade has come right out and said that he isn't worried about watching the standings to see who the Heat play. Said Wade:

"I'm not into all that. I just know that Boston-Atlanta flips back and forth. If they're on TV, I get a chance to watch them, I'll watch them. Besides that, I don't really watch and see. I don't know who they play. I really don't care. We just need to continue to get better up in here. We'll see at the end of 82 who we play."

Moving on to tonight's opponent, Philadelphia has won just 4 of their last 20 games and have taken a serious step backwards after making the playoffs and giving eventual Eastern Conference Champion Orlando a 6-game run for their money. Now it seems that they will finish with their worst record since losing 51 games in 1997-98.

GAME NOTES

Miami's 8-game win streak is the longest current streak in the NBA.
This is the 3^rd game of the 4-game series between Miami and Philly, with the Heat winning the first two games by an average of 20 points, shooting 50.3%. The 4^th game is Monday night in Philadelphia.
The Sixers have lost four of their last five games on the road. Their loss last night at home to Detroit was their 4^th straight overall.
Jermaine O'Neal remains listed as questionable, but considering that the Heat has gone 4-0 without him, I doubt anyone wants to rush J-O. The important thing is that he is ready to roll come playoff time.
For Philly, forwards Thaddeus Young (thumb) and Rodney Carney (foot) are listed as questionable.
In his last 7 games, Udonis Haslem is averaging 12.5 points on 61.8% shooting while grabbing 12.5 rebounds.

Tipoff from the AAA is set for 7:30pm. In the standings watch, Miami was bumped back down to 6^th place as the Bucks went on the road and won in Chicago. The Hawks and Celtics both lost; Charlotte beat Atlanta to inch closer to clinching a playoff spot while the Knicks upset Boston thanks to a career-high 31 from Danilo Gallinari.

So as it stands, Atlanta has a 1-game lead over Boston for 3^rd place with each team having 5 games left on their schedule. Milwaukee and the Heat are tied for 5^th, but the Bucks hold the tiebreaker since they won the season series against Miami. Charlotte is 2 games back of Miami and hold a 3-game lead over 8^th place Toronto.

Got all that...?

Also, don't forget to vote for your Miami Heat Dancers tomorrow starting at 2pm in the quarterfinals against the Boston Celtics Dancers. I will be posting a new dancer of the day tomorrow along with the voting link.

Tweet Comment 7 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Ending the season with a 13-game win streak @ 48-34 as 5th seed

Very possible, highly probable, most likely.

If we play Boston this would be a great way to roll into the first round. So, assuming we play Celts in Round One, how do we put the kibosh on Rondo? In how many games do we take the series, against Boston?

SpillWagon reporting in & putting up points.
Making the case to "DRAFT LaRON BYRD IN 2011."
THE U: DONATING TO THE NFL SINCE 1926.

by chrislucas on Apr 7, 2010 10:22 AM EDT reply actions

It'll take a team effort...

…to keep Rondo out of the lane. I noticed in the Cleveland game (that they almost coughed up) that he kept getting into the lane for the layup and instead was making bad passes to turnover-prone Kendrick Perkins or throwing the ball away himself. Not sure if that’s a fluke or a pattern. You also have to worry about Pierce. The guy is a warrior. Allen and KG can still give them a big game apiece in a series. If we contain Rondo, however, I like our chances against them. They’re not the defensive stalwarts they once were, and that’s not something you can turn on overnight.

Playing, coaching, and watching basketball.

by sherman r on Apr 7, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I did notice the bad passes & turnovers when the lane clogged

But I haven’t watched enough poorly played Celtics games to notice any trend by any one player in particular, usually it’s one or another just having an off night. Our defense has been gaining momentum & if we can force the long jumpers & three’s by taking drives away from Rondo and making Allen & Pierce take jumpers all night, we have a good chance of getting the W. As for KG, there’s rarely an answer for him, so we’ll just have to hope he pisses off the mob & they go for his knees.

SpillWagon reporting in & putting up points.
Making the case to "DRAFT LaRON BYRD IN 2011."
THE U: DONATING TO THE NFL SINCE 1926.

by chrislucas on Apr 7, 2010 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

What about Wade? We know Chalmers can’t guard Rondo, let’s play Wade at the point, and he can take Rondo. Then QRich and DWright on Pierce and Allan, Beasley/Haslem on KG and Joel/JO on the big man. That would work, no? Give PG minutes sparingly to Arroyo and Chalmers.

by jakesinger777 on Apr 7, 2010 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions