How Not Winning a Title This Year Will Break Up the Big 3

Posted by Spoelstra Heat | Posted on 10-05-2012

Category : Miami Heat, Playoff 2012

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Miami Heat: How Not Winning a Title This Year Will Break Up the Big 3

For the Miami Heat, this year might be about more than proving people wrong and silencing critics.

Sure, a championship this season quiets those who constantly criticize how the Heat came together to combine their talents and win rings.

But there’s a bigger danger this season than just negative press from another failed playoff campaign.

The end of the Big Three.

Just two seasons since The Decision, and we’re already staring the end of this experiment in the face.

Falling to the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals last season was acceptable, though the media gave LeBron James a ridiculous amount of criticism when other players also failed to step up.

A second straight failure to capture an NBA championship, with no changes to the roster save the addition of Shane Battier, would mean changes must be made.

The way Miami threw out big contracts to its big-name players left them with little money to fill in the edges, costing them depth and bench talent.

The Heat can’t even afford a starting-level center, playing a combination of Udonis Haslem (a power forward), Chris Bosh (a power forward) and Joel Anthony (an undersized offensive nightmare).

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By Peter Owen (Featured Columnist)

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Heat And Mavericks, Foes In 2011 Finals, Heading Opposite Directions In 2012

Posted by Spoelstra Heat | Posted on 06-05-2012

Category : Miami Heat, Playoff 2012

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Heat And Mavericks, Foes In 2011 Finals, Heading Opposite Directions In 2012

The Heat are up 3-0 in their series with New York, while the Mavericks are down 0-3 against Oklahoma City in a reversal of fortunes for last year’s NBA Finalists.

When Dallas chose not to re-sign key players like Tyson Chandler and J.J. Barea, it was admitting that rebuilding was more important than defending the title. Meanwhile, Miami is just getting stronger as the Heat’s three stars evolve together.

May 4, 2012 – Six days into the 2012 NBA Playoffs, the Finalists from the 2011 edition are heading in very opposite directions.

After a pair of blow-outs on Thursday night, the Miami Heat, last season’s runners-up, are now up 3-0 in their series with the New York Knicks, while the defending Champion Dallas Mavericks are down 0-3 to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The 2011 playoff run was completely magical for the Mavericks. They hit every big shot, dug out of big holes time and again, won every close game. For the two months, they were 16-5 overall, never requiring so much as a Game 7 to eliminate their opponents.

The last of those opponents was the Heat, whom Dallas dispatched with three straight victories, the clincher coming in Miami. Given the hype surrounding “The Decision” that brought LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh together in South Beach, anything less than a title was a disappointment for the Heat.

Eleven months later, the Mavericks are on the brink of elimination while the Heat would appear to have a relatively easy path back to the NBA Finals. After two narrow losses in Oklahoma City (which prompted someone to deem the Thunder underwhelming), the Mavericks were completely overwhelmed back at home.

The Thunder were faster, more aggressive, better and, let’s face it, much, much younger than the Mavericks, and it showed. Dallas’ three losses in the series tell two different stories for this team compared to its championship team.

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By Steve Perrin

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Late-season struggles no concern for Heat

Posted by Spoelstra Heat | Posted on 13-04-2012

Category : Miami Heat

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Late-season struggles no concern for Heat

There is concern, yet there really isn’t.

This is the current state of the Miami Heat. There is reason to worry about their 5-5 record in the last 10 games. There is also reason to ignore the late-season struggles because championship teams have overcome them in recent years.

That is more of a focus than facing the Chicago Bulls on Thursday in a matchup of the top two teams in the Eastern Conference.

The Bulls have the league’s best record despite point guard Derrick Rose, last year’s regular season most valuable player, missing 23 games this season because of groin and ankle injuries.

“It’s not about worry right now,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

The Heat were relaxed Wednesday before heading to Chicago. There was no hangover from Tuesday’s loss to Boston, their second loss to the Celtics in nine days. It marked Miami’s second home loss in three games after winning 17 consecutive games at AmericanAirlines Arena.

The slumping play so close to the postseason is concerning but not enough for the Heat to sound the alarm.

Several teams have overcome late stretches of poor play to regroup and make strong runs in the playoffs. Last year the Dallas Mavericks went through a 10-9 period in March and April, but pulled together to defeat the Heat 4-2 in the NBA Finals.

For the Heat, particularly Spoelstra, guard Dwyane Wade and forward Udonis Haslem, they can look even closer to home.

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By Shandel Richardson, Sun Sentinel

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Heat’s Big Three now playing in a scoring rhythm

Posted by Spoelstra Heat | Posted on 05-04-2012

Category : Miami Heat

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Heat’s Big Three now playing in a scoring rhythm

BOSTON – On balance, the balance has been perfect for the Miami Heat.

Thursday, when it was more about defense in the victory over the Dallas Mavericks, Chris Bosh and LeBron James scored 19 points apiece, with Dwyane Wade adding 16.

Friday, when offense ruled the night in a win over the Toronto Raptors, Bosh and Wade scored 30 apiece and James added 26.

“We’re getting better at working together, getting better at being aggressive and taking our shots and playing as a team,” Bosh said, as the Heat turned their attention to Sunday’s nationally televised game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden.

The efficiency in Toronto was absolute, with Wade, Bosh and James combining to shoot .618 from the floor, making 34 of their 55 shots. And, again, there was equally rationed symmetry, with Bosh and James 11 of 18 from the floor and Wade 12 of 19.

Friday marked just the 20th time in the franchise’s 24 seasons the Heat had multiple players score at least 30 points, but the fifth time this season and the fourth time in March. Additionally, Friday marked the first time since Mar. 30, 2011 at Washington that the Heat had three players score at least 25 points in a game.

Wade, in particular, is finding a rhythm with his outside shot, with 3-pointers no longer the exception to his repertoire. He is 8 of 14 from beyond the arc the past four games.

“Just trying to be aggressive and mixing it up a little bit,” he said of his approach. “Like I said, I feel good about my outside shot. It opens most of my game.”

To a degree, Bosh also opens up the Heat’s game. With Friday’s victory, the Heat improved to 12-0 when Bosh scores 24 or more.

As was the case against the Mavericks, the Heat on Friday night saved their best for last, outscoring the Raptors 30-18 in the fourth quarter, after outscoring Dallas 26-13 in the fourth a night earlier.

“We just keep trying to wear on teams,” James said, “and hopefully we can win down the stretch.”

Coach Erik Spoelstra praised his team’s ability to grind through the grueling back-to-back set against the Mavericks in Miami and Raptors in Toronto and said similar resolve will be needed against a Celtics team on a seven-game home winning streak, one that dates to February.

“It has to continue with that mentality against a very tough team at home,” he said.

The Heat enter Sunday’s game on a 14-game winning streak against the Atlantic Division, with seven consecutive road wins against the Atlantic.

By Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun Sentinel

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Cuban says Miami return isn’t sentimental

Posted by Spoelstra Heat | Posted on 30-03-2012

Category : Miami Heat

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Cuban says Miami return isn’t sentimental

MIAMI – For Dallas owner Mark Cuban, being back in Miami brought out little sentimental value.

Cuban made his first trip back to the arena where his team won last season’s NBA championship, as the Mavericks were facing the Miami Heat on Thursday night.

The Mavericks beat the Heat in six games in the NBA finals and clinched on Miami’s floor, turning the tables after a six-game loss to Miami in the 2006 title series that was capped with the Heat spraying champagne in Dallas.

His ring was at home, too, where it typically stays. Cuban said he wore it once at home with his kids, and that’s about it.

“Do I look like a jewelry guy to you?” Cuban asked before the game. “Trust me, I don’t have to tell anybody we won.”

It’s been a somewhat up-and-down season for the Mavericks, who entered Thursday fifth in the Western Conference standings. The Mavs have already had four losing streaks of at least three games, one more than they had last season.

Nonetheless, it’s no surprise that Cuban is enjoying this season – and defending the crown.

“Yeah, no question. Because you got one. There’s a lot of guys who came close and never got one,” Cuban said.

“It’s certainly more fun. Again, it’s a funky season, so we haven’t had a lot of time to enjoy it. The games come so quickly that it’s an aberrational season. You just deal with it.”

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BY TIM REYNOLDS

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Dallas Mavericks victory in the NBA Finals against Miami Heat? That was so last year

Posted by Spoelstra Heat | Posted on 30-03-2012

Category : Miami Heat

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Dallas Mavericks victory in the NBA Finals against Miami Heat? That was so last year …

MIAMI – Udonis Haslem didn’t linger during Dallas’ celebration.

While Eddie House was sitting on the scorer’s table and Chris Bosh was breaking down in tears in the tunnel, the veteran Heat forward was already back in the home locker room.

“You know, I had my opportunity to celebrate on their floor,” Haslem said. “They didn’t do anything they weren’t supposed to do. They won.”

The Mavericks did win on June 12, 2011. They won their third straight game of the NBA Finals, rallying from a 2-1 deficit in the series to take their first title, turning the tables on the franchise that had ousted them in 2006.

The Mavericks won Game 6 in Miami by a count of 105-95 against a team that will start the same lineup Thursday night against Dallas that it did that night, and has 10 of the same players on its roster.

That feels like forever ago.

The memories? They really haven’t lingered, either.

There are so many reasons for the absence of special significance in this encounter.

For starters, the lengthy, rancorous lockout sapped some of the appreciation for the Mavericks’ accomplishment; fewer fans were talking about whether they could defend the title this season than whether there would be a season at all.

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By ETHAN J. SKOLNICK, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

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Dallas Mavericks vs. Miami Heat: NBA Betting Odds and Predictions

Posted by Spoelstra Heat | Posted on 29-03-2012

Category : Miami Heat

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Dallas Mavericks vs. Miami Heat: NBA Betting Odds and Predictions

The Dallas Mavericks (29-22) and Miami Heat (35-13) will play for just the second time this season after meeting in the 2011 NBA Finals. The game will be nationally televised on TNT from the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami.

Las Vegas oddsmakers sent out the Heat as 8.5-point home favorites, but that number has fallen by a half point in most spots. The total stands at 189.

Miami hasn’t forgotten about missing out on a ring in losing in last year’s finals. The team captured a 105-94 win over Dallas as the 4.5-point road favorites on Christmas Day to help open the 2011-12 NBA season.

The Heat jumped out to a 62-41 halftime lead in that affair, and was led by star forward LeBron James with 37 points on 11-of-19 shooting from the field.

James will be focused on ending the team’s current two-game losing streak this time around. The Heat have fallen by double-digit margins to both the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers on the road.

Sports bettors will be tempted to back the Heat in this spot due to their 4-1 against-the-spread (ATS) record as a home favorite of 6.5 to 9 points this year.

Dallas has won and covered its last two games, including a 90-81 win over the Houston Rockets as seven-point favorites on Tuesday night.

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By Jeff Grant (Featured Columnist)

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As Heat deal with James hurting, Mavericks back in Miami for 1st time since winning NBA title

Posted by Spoelstra Heat | Posted on 29-03-2012

Category : Miami Heat

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As Heat deal with James hurting, Mavericks back in Miami for 1st time since winning NBA title

MIAMI – LeBron James said it was one of the most painful moments that he can remember, one that is weighing heavily on him as the Miami Heat get ready for an NBA finals rematch with the Dallas Mavericks.

No, the Heat forward isn’t talking about losing last year’s title series.

He’s talking about dislocating the ring finger on his left, non-shooting, hand at Indiana earlier this week.

“The only recovery for it, the doctors told me, was rest,” James said. “And I think we all know I’m having none of that.”

Not now, anyway – not with the Mavericks coming back to the building where they celebrated winning a championship a little over nine months ago, and not with the Heat trying to snap a two-game slide that left them looking up at both Chicago and Oklahoma City in the race for the NBA’s best record.

Dallas visits Miami on Thursday night, the second and final meeting of this regular season between the clubs.

The first one: All Miami. The Heat watched the Mavs raise their championship banner on Christmas Day, then built as much as a 35-point lead before settling for a 105-94 victory.

“A bad taste in our mouth,” Mavs guard Jason Terry said.

So as much as the Heat remember Dallas celebrating on their floor, the Mavs remember the opener, too.

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By Associated Press

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Heat’s primary focus not on Mavericks, but themselves

Posted by Spoelstra Heat | Posted on 29-03-2012

Category : Miami Heat

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Heat’s primary focus not on Mavericks, but themselves

MIAMI – When the opposition is the Dallas Mavericks, the Miami Heat’s focus tends to be singular.

Whether it’s winning the 2006 NBA Finals, falling in the 2011 championship series, or snapping a seven-year regular-season losing streak to the Mavericks with a Christmas Day victory in this season’s opener, Dallas has a way of getting the Heat’s attention.

But Thursday at AmericanAirlines Arena, even with Mark Cuban courtside and Finals tormentors Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry and Shawn Marion on the court, introspection will be the order of the night.

“At this point, it doesn’t matter,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said after Wednesday’s practice at AmericanAirlines Arena of arguably the Heat’s biggest interconference rival arriving in town.

“We have to be consumed about our play and how we need to play.”

Such is the case when you’re coming off the first back-to-back double-digit defeats since LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh decided to team up in July 2010.

The last time the teams met, it was all about erasing the sting of dropping the final three games of the 2011 NBA Finals. And it very much was about the Mavericks.

“You watch our Christmas Day game compared to the last two games, of the force and pace that we played with that day, it’s night-and-day different,” Spoelstra said.

“We can control that. We respect the Dallas Mavericks obviously from last year . . . but right now, out of due respect, it’s about us, it’s about getting to our game, our identity.”

Wednesday was about building sweat equality, about knee pads and mouth guards.

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By Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun Sentinel

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NBA will review Game 6 altercation after game

Posted by Spoelstra Heat | Posted on 15-06-2011

Category : Playoff 2011

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MIAMI (AP) – The NBA says it will review further the altercation between the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks in the second quarter of Game 6 after some players from the bench were on the floor.

Players leaving the bench during an altercation are subject to an automatic one-game fine, but no players were thrown out Sunday night because the incident came during a timeout, when players had already left the bench area.

“A player will not automatically be suspended for leaving the bench if he has already left the bench because a timeout was called,” league spokesman Tim Frank says in a statement. “However, we need to review the circumstances of this particular incident, which we will do, after the game.”

The teams were headed to a timeout when the Mavs’ DeShawn Stevenson objected to Udonis Haslem being in his path. Shoving ensued, and the Heat’s Joel Anthony, who was not in the game at the time, rushed into the scrum.

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