Huge 3rd quarter sends Heat to comeback victory over San Antonio

No Dwyane Wade? No problem. That seems to be the message the Miami Heat are sending to their opponents. The Heat are now 4-0 without their superstar shooting guard following last nights win over the visiting San Antonio Spurs 120-98. The game was certainly a tale of two half's, with the Spurs starting the game red-hot en route to a 14-point halftime lead. It was just the second time this season that the Heat had allowed a team to score over 60 points in a half.

Once the 3^rd quarter started though, it would be all Miami for the rest of the night. They stormed out of the break and jumped all over the Spurs, going on a ridiculous 30-3 run during the majority of the 3^rd quarter, turning a once 17-point deficit into a 15-point lead that the Heat never looked back from. Overall Miami outscored San Antonio 71-35 in the 2^nd half, ending their 3-game losing streak and the Spurs 3-game winning streak at the same time.

LeBron James was on fire during the Heat's big 3^rd quarter run, scoring 14 of the 30 points and assisting on three other baskets, including a pair of Mario Chalmers triples. He finished the game with 33 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists and also went 4-of-6 from downtown, his best 3-point shooting game of the season by far. I'm not sure what has changed with LeBron, but after barely taking any 3-pointers this season, he has now put up at least five in two straight games, making 63.3% of them.

Also having a great game was Mike Miller, who made his first appearance of the season with a few minutes to go in the opening quarter. He played in just 15 minutes but had the hottest shooting hand in the game, hitting a perfect 6-of-6 from beyond the arc. It was a hell of a season debut for Miller, and the crowd at the AAA showed their appreciation with loud ovations coming for every 3 he sunk. We can only hope this is a sign for things to come with Miller.

GAME NOTES

• After the game, Erik Spoelstra said he had only planned on playing Mike Miller 5 minutes.
• The Heat are not 8-1 in the last 9 games (dating back to last season) without Dwyane Wade in the lineup.
• San Antonio's 35-point's in the 1^st quarter are the most any Heat opponent has scored in an opening period this season.
• The Spurs also scored the most points the Heat had given up in a half this season with their 63-point output.
• Miami's 39 point 3^rd quarter tied a season high for points in a quarter. They scored 39-points in the 2^nd quarter of their game against Boston.
• LeBron James went 4-of-6 from 3-point range and is now 7-of-11 in his last two games. He began the season barely taking shots from downtown, going 0-for-5 in the 10 previous games he'd played in this year.
• Along with his perfect shooting game, Mike Miller added 4 rebounds and an assist in his debut, and also looked pretty sharp defensively.
• The Heat hit a season high 16 shots from 3-point range.
• Chris Bosh carried the Heat early in the game and ended up with one of the quietest 30-point games I've seen. Along with his 30 he added 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals.
• Bosh also had the play of the game in the 4^th quarter. It started with a defensive rebound by Bosh, who then carried the ball coast to coast, briefly backed down Matt Bonner before spinning around him and finishing with a big 2-handed dunk.

The Heat have another tough game ahead of them on Thursday night when the Los Angeles Lakers come to town for a matchup that some think could be a preview of the NBA Finals.