D-Wade and LeBron get little support as Heat drop 5th straight

by David Dwork on Mar 9, 2011 3:25 AM EST

MIAMI, FL - MARCH 08: Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra reacts after losing a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at American Airlines Arena on March 8, 2011 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

The way this one started, you got the feeling that it was going to be ‘same story, different day' for the Heat. After Mario Chalmers got things started by making the first two buckets of the game for Miami, they seemed to get a bit lethargic, missing shots and turning the ball over. Meanwhile, Portland started the game making their first 4 shots.

Something I've noticed that feels like its becoming a trend is how difficult it appears to be for Miami to get points on the board while their opponents are able to come down the floor and move the ball around with ease until they can put in an easy score. Considering the talent that the Heat have to work with, it's something that just doesn't make sense to me.

Miami grabbed the lead from the Blazers early in the 2^nd quarter, but the Heat began to play some poor defense and got very sloppy on offense. That allowed Portland to go on a 10-0 run and go up by 6. A lot of the damage was being done by the Blazers reserves, but that's what will happen when you have Brandon Roy and Gerald Wallace coming off the bench.

The two combined for 26 1^st half points (15 for Wallace and 11 for Roy), and Portland closed the 2^nd quarter on a nice little 7-2 run and took a 57-51 advantage into the break. LeBron James pitched in with 19 points of his own during the half, but 11 turnovers and a whopping 5 points from the Heat bench just isn't going to cut it.

The 3^rd quarter was more of the same...all LeBron and Wade, with a dash of the other starters. Erick Dampier, Chris Bosh and Mario Chalmers each had one bucket apiece, and the Miami reserve players did absolutely nothing. LeBron added 8 points to his total and D-Wade scored 10, including the final 8 of the quarter over a 3½ minute span that brought the Heat to within 2.

Wade made it 10 straight points and tied the game at 77 with a dunk to open the 4^th quarter. The Heat then went cold for a few minutes while Portland scored 6 straight, but again it was D-Wade doing the dirty work, drilling a triple this time. Another 5 consecutive points for the Blazers and the Heat were down by 9, just unable to muster any consistency on offense when it counted.

A 9-2 Miami run got them back within 2 points of Portland, despite the team continuously settling for long jumpers, which has become a big problem with the team in my eyes. A D-Wade running jumper made the score 93-91 with just under 4 minutes left which is when the Heat fell into their normal routine of disappointing 4^th quarter play.

Two minutes and 7 Portland points later, Miami was on their way to consecutive loss number 5. At the 2-minute mark Wade hit triple that may have given the Heat life, and they played great D on the Blazers next possession, but Wesley Matthews hit a prayer of a 3-pointer as the shot clock expired that acted as the dagger.

LaMarcus Aldridge had a great game on both ends of the floor. He finished with 26 points on 11-of-20 shooting, grabbing 4 rebounds with an assist and a block. He also made a big difference on the defensive end, limiting Chris Bosh to just 7 points on 3-of-11 shooting.

GAME NOTES

Dwyane Wade played in his 531^st game as a member of the Miami Heat, passing Udonis Haslem for 2^nd on the franchise's most games played list. Alonzo Mourning is 1^st, playing in 593.
Wade led all scorers with 38 points, 24 of which came in the 2^nd half. He also went 12-of-13 from the charity stripe and had 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks and a steal.
Portland had 6 of their players finish with double figure scoring.
The Heat bench was outscored 41-8.
Mike Miller continues to struggle finding his way, making just 1-of-7 from the field and missing both of his shots from downtown.
LeBron came 2 assists shy of a triple double, finishing with 31 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists.
This was the 4^th time this season that Miami had two players score at least 30 points, but the first time of the 4 that the Heat lost that game.
Mike Bibby scored 6 points, his most since joining the Heat, on 2-of-4 shooting (all from downtown).
Miami turned the ball over 14 times which led to 20 Portland points.

Things don't get any easier for Miami because Thursday night they will welcome the L.A. Lakers to the AAA. We'll see what happens on that night, but they'll have to find a way to come up with a little bit better of an effort from people not named Wade or LeBron.

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With this bench we go nowhere.

All they do is standing, staring and scaring.

Something to prove II

by flash3 on Mar 9, 2011 5:27 AM EST reply actions

every loosing strike ends...

I’m stunned a little bit but not much, because the whole team missing confidence right now. Stunned only because DWade and Lebron have over 30 points, but as you mentioned it shortly, Chris Bosh also has to be on that category for Miami to be successful. (and of course the bench should do something positive)

The next game against the Lakers is a great chance to turn things around – Lakers claim the top of the power rankings, while the Heat hit the bottom ugly… If the heat can beat LA, things will eventually change…

by greenmech on Mar 9, 2011 5:34 AM EST reply actions

I hope The Heat take care of the "loosing strike"...

But the losing streak may deserve some attention too. Lets see if the Heat have answers for Bynum’s defensive surge.

by LizzakeShizzow on Mar 9, 2011 8:10 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

yeah I meant streak of course^^

by greenmech on Mar 9, 2011 5:07 PM EST up reply actions

Bench outscored 41-8

Where the hell is the bench??? Wade &LBJ need to slap these role players upside their damn heads! Are starting 5 is good enough but our bench doesn’t deserve to be in the NBA. It’s so pathetic how Miller sees the floor more than JJ and Miller isn’t doing shizzzz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Role players are wide the F open! Why the heck are you missing these shots ???? You get paid millions to make these shots! It’s a 2-man team out there

** I'm No Ms. Cleo... But even a dummy can SEE that i'm a Fan Of a future DYNASTY**

by 1-THE H3ATLES-6 on Mar 9, 2011 5:51 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Too many minutes for the three

Spoel needs to give Z, House, and Jones more minutes.

Starters are drained after 3 quarters – it’s no coincidence they’ve been outscored in the 4th Q in every game of the losing streak.

by nba is the worst on Mar 9, 2011 11:38 AM EST up reply actions

The bench players know that they should do better, but they are psyching themselves out each time they play bad…it’s an endless loop…it’s easy shooting open 3’s when there’s no pressure on you, but it’s another thing when millions of people are now focused on your every game…and it gets tougher to perform with every game that you lose…before lebron and bosch came to the team, they didn’t feel as much pressure to perform…

by BirthTimes on Mar 9, 2011 8:26 AM EST reply actions

*bosh

"It felt like a whole new beginning for us, bad memories left behind and a new horizon to build on. I got so worked up, I had a tattoo done on my arm that said FAMOUS TIMES, and Edna bought a Bailey hat with an Indian feather band and a little turquoise-and-silver bracelet for Cheryl, and we made love on the seat of the car in the Quality Court parking lot just as the sun was burning up on the Snake River, and everything seemed then like the end of the rainbow."
--Richard Ford, from his short story, "Rock Springs"

by mjtig on Mar 9, 2011 10:17 AM EST up reply actions

Was not able to watch it live--watched the second half replay...

same story, every time the Heat drew near, the Blazers—to their credit separated (the Wade rejection and then taking it full-court for the dunk to tie it up and how the Heat could not keep the momentum and take the lead was particularly frustrating). Learn to close Heat—19 games left now; next opportunity—Lakers on Thurs.

by mjtig on Mar 9, 2011 10:27 AM EST reply actions

What an opportunity

Lakers are the only team without a loss since the break – I think both streaks will be active after the game tomorrow

by nba is the worst on Mar 9, 2011 11:39 AM EST up reply actions

You maybe right and you maybe wrong

I’ll watch Thurs. To find out.

"When a hurricane damaged my father's house, my brother rushed over with a gas grill, three coolers of beer, and an enormous Fuck-It Bucket - a plastic pail filled with jawbreakers and bite-size candy bars. ("When s*** brings you down, just say 'f*** it,' and eat yourself some motherf****** candy.")"
— David Sedaris

by mjtig on Mar 9, 2011 11:47 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

I hope your right,

Although like kobe said, the heat are gonna be looking to redeem themselves. We can’t slack off. As much as I enjoy the heat losing, I do see them coming in with a HUGE chip on their shoulder with something to prove.

"They call me the Muffin Man"

by true_lakerfan on Mar 9, 2011 12:23 PM EST up reply actions

C-Webb simplifies the whole thing...

http://blogs.thescore.com/tbj/2011/03/09/video-webber-goes-off-on-heat-is-totally-right/

by LizzakeShizzow on Mar 9, 2011 3:24 PM EST up reply actions

A new coach is needed.

E just cant get this team to play together and thats the bottom line. Bosh is a heck of a player but E can’t seem to figure out a way to work him into the system with Wade and James. Maybe actually running more offensive sets would help this team tremendously. Every team just clogs the lane because all the Heat do now is drive and try to kick it out or force a horrible shot. They have no chance in the playoffs unless some things change.

by Garland on Mar 9, 2011 10:53 AM EST reply actions

Hmm

Well next year the heat dynasty will began.
I don’t think this year they win it all.
Remember lakers got gasol and didn’t win until the following year.
Kinks need to be addressed for this team.
They need a close to elite point guard and a decent center.
With bench production and without it ain’t nothing happenen…

Miami Thrice is incredible....Heat Tri-nasty is inevitable!

by thedeeofdees on Mar 9, 2011 5:03 PM EST reply actions

Yes but they did make it to the finals.

And got quite the physical beat down, yes i remember.

"They call me the Muffin Man"

by true_lakerfan on Mar 9, 2011 6:01 PM EST up reply actions

A lot depends on a new CBA

It will be tough to acquire a "close to elite point guard " in some scenarios.

Maybe Pittman is decent – wish we could have found out

by nba is the worst on Mar 9, 2011 5:47 PM EST reply actions

A five game winning streak…hopefully it does not get worse. Interesting to read that Bosh wants the ball down in the post. I sure do wish he picks up his slack. JJ needs more minutes/pt.

"These are the times that try men's souls" - Thomas Paine

by The One Who Wears The Crown on Mar 9, 2011 5:54 PM EST reply actions

Too funny

“A five game winning streak”?

Wishful thinking is so cute!

by nba is the worst on Mar 10, 2011 2:43 PM EST up reply actions

Losing streak* Excuse me.

"These are the times that try men's souls" - Thomas Paine

by The One Who Wears The Crown on Mar 13, 2011 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions

If Riley can take credit for signing the big 3 he can take the blame for letting Spo coach this team from the start, signing mike miller a guy who hasn’t played a full season since who knows when,trading a player with alot of upside in beasley for a 2nd round pick and giving joel anthony 18 million a guy who should be playing in europe not the nba.

by ChristianW on Mar 9, 2011 6:02 PM EST reply actions

I think Spo is getting the rap for something that isn't his fault...

If anyone actually thinks he is drawing up end of game plays where LBJ is taking 27ft fadeaway 3 pointers then you need to stop smoking what Beasley left behind in Miami…Riley won’t change that either no matter how hard as nails he is…LBJ jacks up what he wants, when he wants, always has…the problem Spo has is that, Wade & LBJ are his only two cards in the deck…Bosh is overrated and has been carried in on their entrails…his hardest working guy (UD) has been out the whole season and the next hardest working guy (Miller) is still messed up from his hand injury…the bench is a bunch of has-beens that will be out of the game in the next 2 years and anyone thinking any of them needs more time or shots is kidding themselves…

I used to call Gasol the Spanish Marshmallow and still think he is softer than a pillow but at least the guy rebounds…and not just on one end of the floor, on both ends…I’ll give him his props, he is awesome on the offensive glass…it makes up for a lot of his non-touches on a stacked team…now I’ve watched a lot of games this season and Bosh only rebounds the easy board…never fights for a tough one and where is he when someone shoots the ball?? Already running back down to the defensive end…the dude is 6’10" or so and is getting 4 boards a game?? Are you kidding me?? Maybe I watched too much of Zo back in the day and got spoiled by a hard working big man (Haslem also is in the Zo mold but obviously not as talented)…

Bosh needs to start rebounding like he actually wants the ball and try and play some form of defence…twice in the Portland game he let smaller players (Crash & Roy) shoot 3pts over him with either no attempt to contest…then he fouls Wallace on another…

He wants more shots in the low post?? Why is he camping out by the top of the key & taking soft 15ft jumpshots most guys at the local gym can make…if he wants it in the low post, be in the low post…don’t whinge later on that you’re now in your comfort zone when it’s your own fault for not even being in your so called “comfort zone”…this is besides the fact that someone who is shooting 40% on 14 shots a game since the All-Star game should not be asking for more shots but shutting up and working harder until he has a right to be asking for anything…

If the Heat want a solution, they trade Bosh for some team stupid enough to give over a couple of still current role players (like Wesley Matthews for Portland or Chris Kaman in LA), start Haslem again as he will actually play D and rebound, and realise that people named Dampier & Z are not going to stop anyone with a heartbeat…

Tobias Fünke: Okay, Lindsay, are you forgetting that I was a professional twice over - an analyst and a therapist. The world's first analrapist!!

by TooManyNinjas on Mar 10, 2011 10:31 AM EST reply actions