Where has Heat ‘Finishing Five’ gone

Posted by Spoelstra Heat | Posted on 22-02-2012

Category : Miami Heat

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ASK IRA: Where has Heat ‘Finishing Five’ gone?

Q: How come we aren’t seeing the Dream Team anymore (Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem)? You would think that when points are getting tough to come by that Erik Spoelstra would go with this team to have them continue to work together and gel. — Paul, Fort Lauderdale.

A: But points hardly have been tough to come by and LeBron and Wade are barely playing in fourth quarters because of the recent routs. The Heat have gotten away from the lineup I call the “Finishing Five” because they have been finishing off opponents much earlier. But I do think it would be helpful to find minutes together for those five, considering the cohesion they showed before the recent run of routs.

Q: Funny, whenever members of the Heat are asked about Jeremy Lin there’s not much to say. I get the feeling that the Heat are just waiting and itching to shut Lin-drama down! — Ronnie T. Coral Springs

A: I think you’re right. These Heat players enjoy nothing more than the big stage, and there simply haven’t been many challenges in recent games, but putting a stop to Lin-Bron comparisons figure to get the juices flowing.

Q: Ira, when Erik Spoelstra and Dwyane Wade speak of going to another gear or two (which I think they could reach), what are the different gears attainable? — Nick, Coral Springs.

A: Better execution in the halfcourt and better defense at the 3-point arc.

Q: Why did Spoelstra not use Eddy Curry against Dwight Howard in Sunday’s game? How can he be ready against the other big guys during the playoffs? — Yeoj, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

A: I think we all may have been guilty of overstating the Eddy Curry experience, or at least where it currently does or does not stand.

Q: Does it seem like Spo keeps Bosh in the game during the fourth quarter when the Heat have a big lead so that he can pad his stats? — David.

A: Yes. (And it’s a smart approach. Coaching stars means learning how to keep everyone happy.)

By Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun Sentinel

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The Miami Heat And OKC Thunder Are Untouchable

Posted by Spoelstra Heat | Posted on 22-02-2012

Category : Miami Heat

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The Miami Heat And OKC Thunder Are Untouchable

No matter what happened later in the day, it would have been next to impossible to top Jeremy Lin and the Knicks on Sunday. Lin is already the biggest story in sports, and as we said last week, what makes him so incredible is that he keeps exceeding the hype.

Next to New York we had two known quantities playing: The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Miami Heat.

We know what to expect from those two, at least for now. Any hype they get can’t be answered until playoff time, and even then, if they don’t win a title their season will be looked at as a failure.

But while everyone waits for May and June and looks toward Lin in February, the Heat and Thunder have quietly been blowing the doors off the rest of the league.

Miami’s won nine of 11 games in February and only one of those wins has been closer than 10 points. Sunday, Orlando that felt the wrath of the Heat, to the tune of a 12-point loss that was a 20-point game late in the fourth quarter.

LeBron James had an effortless 25 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists, and Dwyane Wade added 27 points. Udonis Haslem had 10 points off the bench. And from the second quarter on, the game was never close.

That’s how most of their season has gone. Save for the occasional aberration, the Heat haven’t just beaten people, they’ve run them off the court.

They lead the league in offensive efficiency (107.4) and they’re tied for first in point differential (+9.1). They’ve got the deadliest fast break in the NBA, Wade and LeBron have been dominant all year, and even Chris Bosh is chipping in whenever they need it.

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By Andrew Sharp – Featured Contributor

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Heat streak at 7 after beating Kings 120-108

Posted by Spoelstra Heat | Posted on 22-02-2012

Category : Miami Heat

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Heat streak at 7 after beating Kings 120-108

MIAMI (AP) – The Miami Heat knew what was coming from Sacramento. Eventually, they handled the Kings’ challenge.

Dwyane Wade had 30 points and 10 assists, Mario Chalmers and Chris Bosh each scored 20 points and the NBA-leading Heat stretched their winning streak to seven games with a 120-108 win over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night.

“It was a good game for me, just trying to be aggressive and was able to get my teammates some shots,” said Wade, who shot 11 for 16 and has tied his career-best with 11 straight games of shooting 50 percent or better, matching a run from his rookie season.

“And I was also able to continue do what I’ve been doing the last couple games, just taking high-percentage shots and making them.”

LeBron James scored 18 points, Norris Cole had 12 and Udonis Haslem added 10 for Miami (26-7), which has won each of its games during this streak by at least 12 points.

Next up for Miami: The New York Knicks and Jeremy Lin come to town Thursday.

“It’s going to be fun,” James said. “It’s going to be electrifying. … It could be one of the most-watched games that we’ve had in a long time.”

Isaiah Thomas scored 20 of his 24 points in the third quarter for Sacramento, which dropped its sixth straight. Marcus Thornton scored 23, Tyreke Evans finished with 21 points and 10 assists, and Jason Thompson had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Kings.

The Kings were without guard John Salmons, a late scratch with a sore right hip.

“You needed to play a perfect game to win this game against this team and we were pretty close to the perfect game,” Kings coach Keith Smart said. “We had moments, but when you give up 25 points off turnovers, you’re not going to beat many teams.”

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By TIM REYNOLDS, AP Sports Writer

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Heat’s Big 3 merging into something special

Posted by Spoelstra Heat | Posted on 22-02-2012

Category : Miami Heat

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Heat’s Big 3 merging into something special

MIAMI – It was D-Wade Corp., LeBron Inc. and Bosh Ltd. Or something like that.

Two years ago, the three guys who now star on the Miami Heat were doing their own things with different teams. Dwyane Wade was with the Heat, LeBron James in Cleveland and Chris Bosh in Toronto.

Then they had a merger.

Well, not all consolidations are immediately smooth. And when Wade, James and Bosh all joined forces last season, there was no title.

“They were good players on three different teams (in 2009-10), and they finally came together,” said Sacramento coach Keith Smart.

“They were three individual corporations in one building (last season) because they were good players. They weren’t a team yet. But they’ve had a chance to grow. . . . They’re at a different level (now).”

The Heat sure are. Armed with the NBA’s best record at 25-7 and with an impressive six-game winning streak, Smart says “no question” the Heat are playing their best since the three stars arrived in Miami.

Then again, who isn’t saying that? With the Heat trying to win a seventh straight game by double digits against Smart’s Kings on Tuesday at AmericanAirlines Arena, all the card-carrying members of the Big Three say Miami has not looked this good at any point during the previous 1½ years.

“I think that’s obvious,” Bosh said. “I think we’re playing our best ball since we’ve been together. Things are just clicking.”

During their six-game streak, the Heat have outscored foes by an average of 17.7 points. They’ve won 17 of their past 20 since a surprising three-game losing streak in January.

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Miami Heat fine with playing out of the spotlight

Posted by Spoelstra Heat | Posted on 21-02-2012

Category : Miami Heat

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Miami Heat fine with playing out of the spotlight

MIAMI – Last year, every move by the Miami Heat was front-page news.

Whether it was the star player accidentally bumping the coach or tears in the locker room after a loss, the Heat were sure to grab headlines.

How things have changed.

With the league captivated by the rise of New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin, the Heat have taken a back seat despite playing perhaps their best basketball of the LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh era.

The Heat have won 17 of 20 since Jan. 17, and quietly own the NBA’s best record. They’re fine with living out of the spotlight. No problem being in the shadows for once.

“We’re comfortable in our world now,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

“It could be a lot of noise, or it can be relatively minimal noise. … You can get sidetracked in this league so quickly if you get caught up in all the story lines. Right now, there happens to be other story lines around the league, but we know how quickly things can change and turn on us.”

The Heat, who face the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday at AmericanAirlines Arena, are no longer the league’s best story.

Miami a year ago was easily the most-scrutinized team, drawing mostly criticism because of loading up with the additions of All-Stars James and Bosh.

Now, they barely draw a blip because of Lin, the former D-Leagueplayer-turned-NBA sensation who has once again made Knicks basketball relevant.

An example was when both teams played at the Washington Wizards two weeks ago. The Knicks, sub .500 at the time, drew twice the amount of reporters two days before the defending Eastern Conference champions faced the Wizards.

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By Shandel Richardson, Sun Sentinel
srichardson@tribune.com.

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LEBRON CRASHES INTO BOY

Posted by Spoelstra Heat | Posted on 20-02-2012

Category : Lebron James

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LEBRON CRASHES INTO BOY

In the third quarter, James made a crash landing into an unlucky courtside fan while chasing a loose ball. He landed on top of a young boy, who began crying after the incident.

James said he never saw the fan.

“All I felt was a beer in my back,” James said. “That’s all I know, I didn’t see the kids.”

The fan eventually stopped crying. During a television timeout, the referees gave the child the game ball to dribble during the break.

RICHARDSON OUT FOR MAGIC

Magic guard Jason Richardson was a late scratch from the game. Richardson said he began experiencing chest pains Saturday night, similar to the ones associated with a heart attack. Doctors told him not to play.

He will be further evaluated.

“I was scared,” Richardson said. “When I started running, I felt a sharp pain going toward my chest area. It’s nothing to play with.”

Sun Sentinel

srichardson@tribune.com

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Miami Heat’s efficiency at both ends is the stuff of champions

Posted by Spoelstra Heat | Posted on 20-02-2012

Category : Miami Heat

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Miami Heat’s efficiency at both ends is the stuff of champions

Like many consumers, the Heat’s Mike Miller thought he was paying extra for comfort and luxury. He was signing up, essentially, for an expensive VIP basketball experience, literally giving up millions of dollars for the idea of an easier work existence.

He had played his entire career without a single playoff victory, so he came to Miami in search of wide-open shots and blowout wins and a relevance that fans would applaud, not mock.

Instead, of course, last season was a circus and a labor that concluded with crushing disappointment, Miller trying to play basketball at the end with thumbs that didn’t work. He is the only Heat player to admit that he thought all of this would be so much easier.

It took longer than he expected, took longer than any of us expected, but the Heat finally looks like the VIP experience. No Heat team – not the one that won 61 games, not the champion of 2006, not last year’s grandiose experiment – has ever been as overwhelming as what we’ve seen from this basketball team recently.

What we are witnessing is the best product the Heat has ever put on the floor.

Up by 30-plus at Atlanta. LeBron James going 16 for 21 – his most efficient game ever – in a scorching of Milwaukee. Up by 29 at the half at Indiana and 21 in the first quarter against Cleveland.

The whole thing was like watching mice scatter in the face of an oncoming cement mixer.

Teams don’t do this on the road, especially with this year’s manic and wearying schedule, but it probably ought to be noted that the NBA is filled with an uncommon number of godawful teams.

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BY DAN LE BATARD, DLEBATARD@MIAMIHERALD.COM

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Wade, James lead Heat past Magic, 90-78

Posted by Spoelstra Heat | Posted on 20-02-2012

Category : Miami Heat

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Wade, James lead Heat past Magic, 90-78

MIAMI (AP) – Dwyane Wade scored 27 points, LeBron James had 25 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, and the NBA-leading Miami Heat beat the Orlando Magic 90-78 on Sunday for their sixth consecutive victory.

With former President Bill Clinton sitting courtside next to Heat managing general partner Micky Arison, Udonis Haslem scored 10 for the Heat, who improved to 25-7, a half-game better than Chicago for the best record in the NBA and the Eastern Conference.

The 12-point final margin Sunday was Miami’s smallest during its current winning streak.

Wade made 13 of 23 shots from the floor, shooting 50 percent or better for the 10th straight game.

J.J. Redick, who was a late addition to the Orlando starting lineup after Jason Richardson was scratched with chest pain, scored 17 points.

Dwight Howard finished with 12 points and 15 rebounds and Glen Davis – back in the Magic lineup after a one-game absence to attend his father’s funeral – scored 12.

Quentin Richardson added 10 for Orlando, which made 11 shots from 3-point range. The Magic had been 12-1 when connecting on at least that many this season.

Clinton stayed until the end, even posing for a quick photo with game officials Bill Kennedy, Mark Lindsay and Rodney Mott shortly after the final buzzer.

The six-game winning streak is a season best for Miami. Orlando lost for just the third time in its last 11 games.

Fueled by Wade scoring 12 points in the first seven minutes, Miami ran out to a 22-11 lead, the second straight game where the Magic faced a double-digit deficit in the opening quarter.

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By TIM REYNOLDS, AP Sports Writer

Preview: Orlando (20-11) at Miami (24-7)

Posted by Spoelstra Heat | Posted on 19-02-2012

Category : Miami Heat

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Preview: Orlando (20-11) at Miami (24-7)

As much as the Miami Heat might like to duplicate their most recent effort from beyond the arc, defending the 3-point line could be a more pivotal factor against the Orlando Magic.

Keeping Dwight Howard in check might help, too.

A 20-20 game from Howard, like the one he had in his last outing, and a 3-point barrage lifted the Magic in the most recent matchup with their south Florida rival. They head to Miami on Sunday as the only team to beat the Heat in the past two weeks.

This game features the hottest teams in the Eastern Conference, with Miami having won five in a row and 13 of 15 while the Magic have taken four straight and eight of 10.

“We definitely don’t wanna take the foot off the gas, we’re playing some great basketball,” LeBron James said after Miami went a season-best 14 of 21 from 3-point range in a 111-87 win at Cleveland on Friday.

The Heat (24-7) are unbeaten since a 102-89 defeat in Orlando on Feb. 8, when James was held to 17 points on 5-of-15 shooting. Howard had 25 points and 24 rebounds while the Magic made 17 3-pointers on a team-record 42 attempts.

“They shot the 3 extremely well and the big fella in the middle took care of his 20 and 20 once again,” James said following that matchup.”

“Sometimes you have to pick your poison, but we gave up both tonight. They are an extremely tough team to beat when they are making the 3s and the big fella is doing what he wants.”

The Magic are 11-0 when hitting 12 or more 3-pointers and 15-1 when making at least 40 percent beyond the arc.

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By JUSTIN EINHORN, STATS Senior Editor

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Dwight Howard to the Miami Heat? Yes, This Could Happen

Posted by Spoelstra Heat | Posted on 19-02-2012

Category : Miami Heat

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Dwight Howard to the Miami Heat? Yes, This Could Happen

Can you imagine LeBron James and Dwight Howard on the same team?

Well, it’s not outside the realm of reason.

A James and Howard duo could be as fortuitous as the league has ever seen. They’d certainly be mentioned in the likes of Magic Johnson-Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan-Scottie Pippen and Kobe Bryant-Shaquille O’Neal.

So how could this idea become a reality?

ESPN NBA analyst Chris Broussard recently presented a handful of ideal Dwight Howard trades. A

n emphasis in all of Broussard’s ideas was what the Orlando Magic could receive for “Superman,” and quite frankly, the scenario featuring Dwight heading to South Beach lands the Magic with the most in return.

Broussard’s Howard-to-Miami deal looks like this:

Miami Heat Receive

C Dwight Howard, F Hedo Turkoglu, F Ryan Anderson

Orlando Magic Receive

G Dwyane Wade, F Chris Bosh

Wow, talk about a blockbuster deal. And truthfully, this deal would be beneficial for both squads.

While the Heat would struggle to wave goodbye to Wade and Bosh (particularly Wade, who’s been there nine years and won a title in ’06), the opportunity to seize Dwight Howard is too alluring to resist.

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By Haddon Anderson (Correspondent)

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