Heat dominate Dallas in Christmas Day opener
by David Dwork on Dec 26, 2011 6:00 PM EST
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In a game that wasn't nearly as close as the final score would indicate, the Heat went into Dallas on opening day and blew out the Mavericks 105-94. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade led the way offensively, though the real impressive part of the game was the suffocating defense played by the Heat, forcing Dallas into several turnovers and tough shots.
Miami came out ready to play, and didn't let up on the gas until the game was so far out of reach that it was silly to not remove its starters. They led by 15 after the 1st quarter, 21 at the half and then in the 3rd went on a 14-0 run to peak their lead at 35 points. The 3rd quarter also provided the highlight of the game; an all-oop pass from Mario Chalmers to LeBron James that instead of dunking, James tipped to a streaking D-Wade who then jammed it home.
The game was a great way to begin the season as the Heat appeared to be in mid-season form on both ends of the floor, looking very comfortable playing with one another. It wont be long before Miami gets to once again test their ability with tomorrow's home opener coming against the rival Boston Celtics who will be trying not to fall in a 0-2 hole after losing in New York on Christmas.
GAME NOTES
- The Heat broke a streak of 14 straight regular season losses to Dallas.
- LeBron James finished with 37 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocked shots. He also made 15-of-19 from the foul line.
- D-Wade contributed 26 points of his own, adding 8 boards, 6 assists, a steal and a block.
- Udonis Haslem played 32 minutes off the bench, leading all players with 14 rebounds.
- Miami outrebounded Dallas 51-31. The Mavericks top rebounder was Shawn Marion, with 6.
- The Heat took just 7 three-pointers, making 4. It was just the 3rd time in franchise history that none of the 5 Miami starters attempted a triple.
- Miami scored just 8 points in the 4th quarter, tying a franchise low.
- Rookie Norris Cole looked solid in his NBA debut, playing with poise and confidence. He finished with 7 points, 2 rebounds and hit his only attempt from downtown.
Next up is the home opener tomorrow night against Boston. Tipoff from the AAA is set for 8pm.
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There are tons of Heat fans! But u have to remember this is the city of Miami. My whole family comes together almost every night the Heat play and throw a little party, sports bars are overly packed with fans. The bottom line is most people in this city would rather party while watching the game then sit in a blog and chat.. At least u have me though :)
We Bout To Let These Haters Know..
This Heat Thing, IS MORE THAN HYPE
by 1-THE H3ATLES-6 on Dec 27, 2011 6:53 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
A pretty entertaining. Was surprised to check the stat line and find 0 3pt attempts for both Wade and James let alone all of the Heat’s starters. On to the next one
"A man who believes that he can do everything, let him dig a grave and bury himself."
by The One Who Wears The Crown on Dec 26, 2011 9:47 PM EST reply actions
Great Point w the 3 pt stats
I’m loving this new offense. Many people didn’t think that he could play well off of the ball, but this new offense forces him to so. I really like that he’s now catching the ball at mid-range. He’s never been a good 3 pt shooter but he is a good mid-range shooter. Also, catching the ball at mid-range eliminates all the time on the shot clock that he tends to waste when dribbling at the top of the key. Also, limiting his touches at the top of the key maximizes his touches because otherwise he has to shoot some 3 pointers (not his strength) just to keep the defense honest.
I’ve been a little negative on Spoelstra mainly because I haven’t liked his substitutions/matchups, but I have to give him BIG RESPECT for this change on offense. No one has forced Lebron to play out of his comfort zone before, but its for the best. This type of offense will help him improve the basketball iq part of his game while extending his career from less collisions at the basket.
If the heat is to win a championshiop.........
Yes. If the Heat is to win a championship, Lebron has to come out dominant in every game. Lebron has to be Lebron. He could not win a ring with the Cavs because he did not have the pieces he needed. With the Heat he has D-Wade, Bosh and others as the pieces he needs. The mistake last year was that the Coaching staff did not want to put the burden on any one player and that I think that was a mistake.The roles of the Star players was sometimes confusing, leading to passive plays on occasions from the Star players.
Everyone got carried away with whose team it was or was not, and in a way essentially lost focus. This season the team should avoid the discussion of whose team it is or it is not.. Whether it is Lebron’s team or Wade’s or Bosh’s should not be the discussion or focus this season and the players should not waste their time and effort answering that question..Players should shelve their egos and let Lebron be Lebron. That is the only way the Heat can win a championship with Lebron. If the Stars begin to worry whose team it is, then goodbye to the championship ring. The players should play their game and let the stock market worry whose team it is.
yeah, everything looked great through three...
More post play from Bron and Wade and great D. Cole looked good. The only thing was Bosh not being aggressive and settling for jump shots exclusively, he can’t do that this year. He must get in the post and fake and drive. Then, like last year at times (Magic game in reg season, Dallas in playoffs ect.), team played like they already won the game. Had flashbacks from last year, cut that out Heat!
Reporter: What would you say a Greg Studrawa offense is like? Stud:
"Attack and be very physical…fly around…attacking, come after you and come after you and come after you…." Me: I love this answer.
GET TO THE RIM HEAT (and SKY)! ATTACK THE PAINT!
I liked how Spo just let the young guys play in the 4th
insteed of yelling at them he let them make their own mistakes, so he has video to teach them with.
LETS GO HEAT!!!!!!!
Joel Anthony is the man
do YOU believe in TEBOW
No Threes by Lebron
Every time he faces up for the mid range jumper it reminds me of Hakeem!
LETS GO HEAT!!!!!!!
Joel Anthony is the man
do YOU believe in TEBOW
Good win!!
Lebron James looked dominating, no smiling and joking on the floor looked all business
Norris Cole is just what we needed
Udonis Haslem is the hardest working player in basketball
Without respectable numbers from Bosh we still put up 105 points
Hmmm
We owned the mavs as expected.
I expect Wade to own the celtics 2night.
Bosh should recover from that foul trouble terrible game on Sunday.
Pittman needs more minutes!
Trade Joel Anthony for Jason Thompson!
Wade score 40, 7 rbs & 5 assists with 2 blocks, Bron score 29,8 rbs & 10 assitsm Bosh score 19 & 10 rbs
Cole score 7 & 4 assists, 2 steals, Chalmers please don’t stink up the court!
Let’s go heat!
Beat Boston!
.Heat Tri-nasty is inevitable!
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