Back in the Groove

Kevin Durant and the Thunder couldn’t handle the Heat this week in a 108-103 victory for the “Big Three.”  This was the first game in a few weeks that Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, and LeBron James were all healthy enough to play again. The game came down to the last 34 seconds with the Thunder up 103-102. In this little time Dwayne Wade missed a jump shot but Miller got the rebound. Miller passed the James, who then passed to Eddie House who made the 3-point shot and got 2 more points because of the foul. Wade had 32 points, LeBron added 23 points with 13 rebounds, and Chris Bosh had 20 points. Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 33 points.

One thing that could be a sign that the Heat are getting even more united was the bond shown between LeBron and coach Erik Spoelstra. In the 4^th quarter when a teammate was shooting free throws, Coach Spo and James had a close short talk about the game plan. It showed how much respect they have for each other. They both, especially LeBron, have been dealing with a lot of negative press over the past few weeks. It’s good to see that they are getting along and showing that they can rise above the negativity to communicate and try to make this team work. The Heat are now 33-14, and still 2^nd in the Eastern Conference Standings. I think we could see an improvement in there record as long as the “Big Three” stay healthy and the other Heat players keep up the hard work.

LeBron stays in it.

The Heat has been on a four game losing streak. With Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh still out it was time for LeBron and the rest of the team to step it up. Well they did, and they beat the Toronto Raptors 120-103. LeBron knew that it would be a hard game with two of the three main players out but a short talk with Mike Miller and he emerged as a secondary star. LeBron talked to Miller before the game telling him that he had to step up tonight, and Miller did.  LeBron taking control and acting as a leader definitely changed the way the team played and had an effect on the game’s outcome.

Miller had an impressive 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists. This was very impressive for a player that has been on a team where the “Big Three” score about 90% of the points. LeBron also stepped up and added 38 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists. The combination of LeBron becoming the leader and Miller taking his advice is what made the Heat so lethal and able to come out with the win. The Heat is now 31-13 and are still 2^nd in the Eastern Conference.

Miami is taking Heat

This week Miami played the Clippers, Bulls, and the Nuggets. It was a very bad week and the bad record could be blamed on LeBron’s ankle injury. Chris Bosh, another stud for the Heat, also hurt his ankle bad enough to ride the bench. In the game against the Clippers LeBron twisted his ankle and didn’t play the following games. LeBron, obviously a key player for Heat, could not return for the following games and without him the Heat aren’t looking too promising. They aren’t playing with as much heart as they should be but they are learning valuable lessons along the way, being a newly formed “All-Star studded” team.

As much as I love to see the Heat take down the big teams it’s important for a team to lose. In December and the beginning of January the Heat were on remarkable winning streaks leading the standings and looking more like a championship team, but as good as it was coming together they weren’t learning as much about themselves as they are now. Losing to teams that they should be beating, especially in the absence of two key players, helps the team adapt and get better at dealing with adversity. Things don’t always work out the way you want them to and they need to learn to still play the game, even with only one of the “Big 3.”

The Heat now fall to 3rd place in the Eastern Conference strandings, and have a record of 30-12.

Heat vs. Trail Blazers

On January 9, of this year the Miami Heat proved why they should have a shot at the NBA Finals. They played the Trail Blazers in Portland for an overtime victory of 107-100. The success of this game depended on two key players for the Heat. LeBron James and Dwayne Wade had a combined total of 78 points. Chris Bosh also added 18 points to the Big Three’s numbers. The Big Three, being James, Bosh, and Wade, are the most impacting players on the team.

I think that it is safe to say the LeBron was the most help in this game. He had 44 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists. These numbers are the highest on the team but LeBron also saved the game for them. With just 2:13 left in the 4^th quarter the Heat were down by 5 points. LeBron stepped up and scored a 3-pointer and two more free throws to tie it. This is the Heat’s 13^th straight road victory, which is 3 away from the record set by the 1971-72 Lakers. The Heat’s record is now 30-9 and they are ranked 1^st in the eastern conference standings.

Miami Heat

This blog will be about the Miami Heat and their progress through the season. It will cover the last weeks game and the team's stats as well as an analysis of how the games went for Miami. It will talk about the key players in the game and what might be in store for the Heat.