Monday, March 31, 2014

Miami Heat Vs. Toronto Raptors

               Miami Heat(50-22) 
                            @ 
          Toronto Raptors (42-31)
                       7:30PM
                      Miami, Fl
          American Airlines Arena
         Coverage on Sun Sports

Miami Heat Starting Lineup:
PG:Mario Chalmers
SG:Toney Douglas
SF:LeBron James
PF:Chris Bosh 
C:Udonis Haslem

Miami Heat Inactive List:Dwyane Wade(hamstring), Ray Allen(stomach virus), and Greg Oden(back spasms)

Toronto Raptors Starting Lineup:
PG:Kyle Lowry
SG:DeMar DeRozan 
SF:Terrence Ross
PF:Amir Johnson
C:Jonas Valanciunas 

Raptors Inactive List:Dwight Buychs and Julyan Stone

Heading into tonight's much anticipated Eastern Conference game between the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors, the Heat find themselves 1 game back of the Idiana Pacers. Even though Miami has struggled in the month of March, they are sticking within distance of stealing the top spot in the East from Indiana. Indiana's offense has been struggling as of late, as they have struggled scoring.
 If the Heat are able to grab the best record in the Eastern Conference it will provide a low blow to a Pacers squad, who made it a season long priority to end the year with home court advantage in the East playoffs. Hopefully the Heat can continue to play good defense and win games in the final ten games of the season, despite fluctuating lineups and several ailments by players. Even though being able to grab a hold of the top record in the East is great, it isn't the top priority. Playing well especially defensively heading into the postseason is the main priority at this time.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Miami Heat @ Milwaukee Bucks

                    

                   Miami Heat(49-22)
                                @
                Milwaukee Bucks(14-58)
                         8:30PM/EST
                   Milwaukee, Wisconsin
              BMO Harris Bradley Center
      Coverage on Sun Sports and FSWI

Miami Heat Starting Lineup:
PG:Toney Douglas 
SG:James Jones
SF:Lebron James 
PF:Chris Bosh 
C:Udonis Haslem 

Heat Inactive List:
Ray Allen(stomach virus), Mario Chalmers (bruised quad), Dwyane Wade(hamstring), and Greg Oden(back spasms

Milwaukee Bucks Starting Lineup:
PG:Brandon Night
SG:Ramon Sessions
SF:Khris Middleton
PF:Jeff Adrien
C:Zaza Pachulia

Bucks Inactive List:
Carlos Defino(foot/out for season), Ekpe Udoh(knee/out for season), Larry Sanders(head/out for season), Nate Wolters(hand/out for season), Ersan Ilyasova(ankle/out for season), O.J Mayo(ankle), and Giannis Antetokounmpo

After an impressive blowout 110-78  victory over the Detroit Pistons last night , the Heat look to win ttonight in the second game of a back-to-back against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Heat are in Milwaukee, Wisconsin tonight to face off against a Buck's team, who owns the worst record in the leaugue at 14-58. Many season ending injuries to Buck's players have mightily contributed to their horrible season. At this point it is obvious that the Milwaukee Bucks, will receive the number one,, if not one of  top five pick in this years upcoming NBA draft. 
With eleven games remaining this season  the Miami Heat look to close out their season on a high note, as they look to to make noise deep into the playoffs. If the Heat win tonight they will improve to 50-22, while the Bucks will fall to 14-59.

Friday, March 28, 2014

Miami Heat @ Detroit Pistons




Miami Heat(48-22)
@
Detroit Pistons(26-45)
Auburn Hills, Michigan
  The Palace Of Auburn Hills
     Coverage on Sun Sports and FSDT
                                              
Miami Heat Starting Lineup:
PG:Toney Douglas
SG:James Jones
SF:LeBron James
PF:Chris Bosh
C:Udonis Haslem

Heat Inactive List:
Dywane Wade (hamstring), Mario Chalmers (bruised quad), Greg Oden (back spasms),
and Ray Allen (stomach virus)

Detroit Pistons Starting Lineup:
PG:Brandon Jennings
SG:Kyle Singler
SF:Josh Smith
PF:Greg Monroe 
C:Andre Drummond

Pistons Inactive List: 
Chauncey Billups and Josh Harrellson

Tonight the Miami Heat are playing against the disappointing Detroit Pistons with their big front court that consists of Smith, Monroe, and Drummond. The Heat are fresh of a close one point 84-83 disappointing lost against the Indiana Pacers, who now are 3 games ahead ahead of Miami for the best record in the Eastern Conference. LeBron had a great performance with 38 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists despite some hard fouls James received . Two times in the game it looked that LeBron was targeted in two flagrant fouls by Indiana, which weren't called. James later gave Roy Hibbert a taste of the hard hits he received, as he gave a him a elbow to the face, when he went up to finish at the rim. Miami played pretty well throughout their last game on Wednesday, but suspect defense and costly turnovers down the stretch handed the Heat the one point defeat. The undermanned Heat look to improve to 49-22 against the home Pistons, with the absence of Dwyane Wade, Mario Chalmers, Ray Allen, and Greg Oden. .Recently the Heat have struggled on the road as they have lost 6 out of their last 7 games, including their 84-83 defeat against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night. The Heat need to limit their turnovers, try to impose their defensive will, and need to work hard not to get killed on the boards on both offense and defense.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Miami Heat @ Indiana Pacers

                  


                   Miami Heat(48-21) 
                               @ 
               Indiana Pacers (51-20)
                           8:00PM
                  Indianapolis, Indiana
               Bankers Life Fieldhouse 
        Coverage on Sun Sports, ESPN 
                         and FSIN



Miami Heat Starting Lineup:
PG:Mario Chalmers
SG:Dwyane Wade 
SF:LeBron James
PF:Chris Bosh
C:Greg Oden 

Heat Inactive List:Ray Allen(stomach virus)

Indiana Pacers Starting Lineup:
PG:Grant Hill
SG:Lance Stephenson
SF:Paul George 
PF:David West 
C:Roy Hibbert 

Pacers Inactive List:C.J Watson(hamstring) and Andrew Bynum(kne)

Monday, March 24, 2014

Miami Heat Vs Portland Trailblazers

              
                     Miami Heat(47-21) 
                                Vs.
              Portland Trailblazers(45-25) 
                            7:30PM
                           Miami,FL
                 American Airlines Arena
                          Coverage on 
               Sun Sports, NBATV, CSNW

Miami Heat Starting Lineup:
PG:Mario Chalmers
SG: Toney Douglas
SF:LeBron James
PF:Chris Bosh
C:Greg Oden

Trailblazers Inactive List:
 Dwyane Wade(ankle) & Justin Hamilton 

Portland Trailblazersl Starting Lineup:
PG:Damian Lillard
SG:Wesley Matthews
SF:Nicholas Batum
PF:Dorell Wright 
C:Robin Lopez

Trailblazers Inactive List: LaMarcus Aldridge(back) & Joe Freeland(knee)

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Miami Heat @ New Orleans Pelicans


Miami Heat(47-20) @ New Orleans(28-40)
8:00PM
New Orleans, LA
Smootie King Center 
Coverage on Sun Sports and FSNO

Miami Heat Starting Lineup:
PG:Mario Chalmers
SG:Toney Douglas
SF:LeBron James
PF:Chris Bosh
C:Udonis Haslem

Heat Inactives:Dwyane Wade(rest), Greg Oden(rest) and Justin Hamilton

New Orleans Pelicans Starting Lineup:
PG:Brian Roberts
SG:Tyreke Evans 
SF:Al-Farouq Aminu
PF:Luke Babbitt
C:Anthony Davis

Pelicans Inactive List:Eric Gordon(knee), Ryan Anderson(neck & back), Jason Smith(knee), and Jrue Holiday(leg)

Tonight the Miami Heat look to grab a win against the short handed New Orleans Pelicans. Even though many of their key players are injured the Pelicans still are able to start All-Star caliber Anthony Davis. Dwyane Wade and Greg Oden will be inactive to rest, as tonight's game is the second game of a back to back for the Heat, who won last night against the Memphis Grizzles by a score of 91-86.Toney Douglas and Udonis Haslem will start in place of Wade and Oden. As of late Haslem has shown that he can provide key minutes for the Heat. His gritty style of play and his rebounding skills are a huge benefit for a Heat team, who is still questioning themselves as they head into the playoffs. Miami overtaking the Indiana Pacers for the best record in the East is surely a bonus, but at this point it isn't the Heat's main focus. Just being able to play consistently heading into the 2014 postseason, is truly the most important thing for this two time back-to-back champion Heat squad. The way the Heat play these last fifteen games of the regular season heading into late April, will make a big imprint into the Heat completing their feat of the coveted three-peat.

Friday, March 21, 2014

Miami Heat Vs. Memphis Grizzles



Miami Heat (46-20) Vs. Memphis Grizzles (40-27)
7:30 PM
Miami, FL
American Airlines Arena 
Coverage on Sun Sports and SPSO


Miami Heat Starting Lineup:
PG:Mario Chalmers
SG:Dwyane Wade
SF:LeBron James
PF:Chris Bosh
C:Greg Oden

Heat Inactive List:
James Jones and Justin Hamilton

Memphis Grizzles Starting Lineup:
PG:Mike Conley
SG:Courtney Lee
SF:Tayshaun Prince
PF:Zach Randolph
C:Marc Gasol

Grizzles Inactive List:Quincy Pondexter (foot)


The Miami Heat lost another game on Wednesday against the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden by a score of 101-96. Since posting a record of 8-0 from Feb 11th to March 3rd, the Heat have won 3 out of their last 9 games, as they have put up a record of 3-6 in the span of time.(Chart below depicts this info).
Feb. 11 - Mar. 3Since
W-L8-03-6
PPG108.998.7
FG pct53.4%47.6%

This winning slump for Miami began the game after LeBron James scored his career high in points (61) , as he broke the Miami Heat record for most points scored by a single player in a game. During this span of bad play from the Heat their offense has average 10 points less per game, since the period of time between February 11th and March 3rd. Even though the Heat have endured some issues in the current month of March, there is a silver lining to their bad play recently; as Mike Miller a current member of the Grizzles will receive his championship  ring, due to his contributions to the Heat's journey to win back to back championships last June.

Miami is competing against a talented and rolling team who has clicked since Marc Gasol came back from injury. In the  span of time Gasol came back, the Memphis Grizzles have became the number one defense in the association. The Miami Heat look to improve their record to 47-20, thus improving their home record to 27-6 this season. Memphis is looking to improve their current record  to 41-27, in the process improving their road record to 20-13.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Miami Heat @ Boston Celtics


             Miami Heat(46-19)
          @ 
           Boston Celtics(22-46)
          7:30PM
          Boston,Massachusetts 
       TD Garden
Coverage on Sun Sports and CSNE

Miami Heat Starting Lineup:
PG:Mario Chalmers
SG:Dwyane Wade
SF:Michael Beasley
PF:Chris Bosh.                                                  C:Udonis Haslem 


Heat Inactive List: 
LeBron James(back spasms) and Greg Oden(rest)

Boston Celtics Starting Lineup:
PG:Rajon Rondo
SG:Avery Bradley
SF:Brandon Bass
PF:Jeff Green
C:Kris Humphries

Celtics Inactive List:
Gerald Wallace(knee) and Victor Faverani(knee) both are out for the season

Last night the Miami Heat beat the the Cleveland Cavaliers 100-96, fueled by 43 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists from LeBron James. The victory came in the first night of a back-to-back in which Dwyane Wade didn't play. Despite LeBron's great performance the Heat struggled to open a big lead throughout the last three quarters.

Miami is finishing their 2 game road trip tonight in Boston as they face-off against the Boston Celtics.                     
After LeBron James recorded 43 points in the game last night in Cleveland, he will be inactive in tonights game due to back spasms. Tonight Erik Spoelstra is tinkering with the starting line up for the Heat as he is starting Michael Beasley and Udonis Haslem in place of LeBron and Greg Oden. The Miami Heat look to improve to 47 and 19 on 3 consecutive wins.  

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Miami Heat @ Cleveland Cavaliers




Miami Heat(45-19) @ Cleveland Cavaliers(26-41)
7:30PM
Cleveland, Ohio 
Quicken Loans ARENA
Coverage on Sun Sports and FSOH



Tonight the Miami Heat are looking to continue winning as they start a quick road trip, which begins tonight against the Cavaliers ending tomorrow night against the Celtics. In tonight's game the Heat are going to start Greg Oden for the second straight game, as Erik Spoelstra experiments with a larger starting five for the Heat. Dwyane Wade is inactive in tonight's game due to rest,,as today's game is the first game of a back-to-back for the Heat.The Heat look to improve to 46-19 as they face off against a Cleveland Cavaliers team who are fighting for the final playoff spot in the East, as they are 5.5 games back of the Atlanta Hawks,who own the 8th and final spot for the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.

Miami Heat Starting Lineup:
PG:Mario Chalmers
SG:Toney Douglas
SF:LeBron James
PF:Chris Bosh
C:Greg Oden

Heat Inactive List: Dwyane Wade(rest) and Justin Hamilton

Cleveland Cavaliers Starting Lineup:
PG:Jarret Jack
SG:Dion Waiters
SF:Alonzo Gee
PF:Tristan Thompson
C:Spencer Haws

Cavaliers Inactive List: Kyrie Irving(bicep), Luol Deng(ankle), Anthony Bennett(knee), Carrick Felix(knee)


Sunday, March 16, 2014

Miami Heat Vs. Houston Rockets





Miami Heat (44-19) Vs Houston Rockets(44-21)
3:30PM
Miami, FL
American Airlines Arena
Coverage on ABC


Miami Heat Starting Lineup:
PG:Mario Chalmers
SG:Dwyane Wade
SF:LeBron James
PF:
Chris Bosh

C:Greg Oden

Heat Inactive List: James Jones and Justin Hamilton
Houston Rockets Starting Lineup:
PG:Patrick Beverley
SG:James Jones
SF:Chandler Parsons
PF:Terrence Jones
C:Dwight Howard

Rockets Inactive List:

The Miami Heat have recently hit a brick wall, as they have been in a winning slump in the month of March. In March the  Heat have won 3 out of the 8 games so far in the month. Careless turnovers, little contributions from the bench, and questionable play down the stretch of games have played a huge part in the Heat losing 5 out of their last 6 games. LeBron has struggled regaining his rhythm since his 61 point game, and has disappeared multiple times in crunch time. LeBron has recently suggested that Wade's improved health has effected his rythym, as he has deferred  more to Wade late in games. 

Tonight the Miami Heat are playing a talented Houston Rockets team that has lost two games in a row after winning five straight. Last time these teams squared off on March 4th in H-town the Rockets won 106-103, in the process snapping the Heat's eight-game winning streak over them. Miami needs to limit their turnovers, since the Rockets are quick and deadly on offense. The Heat is starting Greg Oden at center and putting Chris Bosh at the four spot (power forward), thus replacing Shane Battier in the starting lineup. This is a great move for the Heat as they try to limit the production of Dwight Howard down low in the paint. Miami is looking to get back on track against a very talented Western Conference team in the Houston Rockets, who are bound to make some noise in the playoffs.

Efficiences (Rank): 
  • Heat Offense: 109.7 (1)
  • Heat Defense: 103 (11)
  • Rockets Offense: 107.8 (6)
  • Rockets Offense: 102.4 (T-9)



Friday, March 14, 2014

Miami Heat Vs. Denver Nuggets





Miami Heat (44-17) Vs. Denver Nuggets (28-36)
7:30PM
Miami, FL
American Airlines Arena
Coverage on Sun Sports 
 and ALT


Miami Heat Starting Lineup:
PG: Mario Chalmers
SG: Dwyane Wade
SF: LeBron James
PF: Shane Battier
C:  Chris Bosh

Heat Inactive List: James Jones and Justin Hamilton

Denver Nuggets Starting Lineup:
PG:Ty Lawson
SG:Randy Roye
SF:Wilson Chandler
PF:Kenneth Faried
C:Timofey Mozgov

Nuggets Inactive List: Danilo Gallinari, JaVale McGee, Nate Robinson


The Miami Heat look to improve to 45-17 as they hope to get back on track against the 28-36 Denver Nuggets. Miami has lost 4 out of their last 5 games, which included losses against the Rockets, Spurs, Bulls and Nets, their lost win coming against  the Washington Wizards on Monday night. LeBron has continued to struggle scoring, ever since he scored 61 points against the Charlotte Bobcats last Monday. Many of the Heat's recent losses have been due to slow defense, turnovers, and sloppy play down the stretch of the fourth quarter.

Miami Heat VS. Brooklyn Nets


Miami Heat(44-17) Vs. Brooklyn Nets(32-30)
7:00PM
Miami, Florida 
American Airlines Arena
Coverage on Sun Sports and ESPN



Miami Heat Starting Lineup:
PG:Mario Chalmers/ Rio
SG:Dwyane Wade/ D. Wade
SF:Lebron James/ King James
PF:Shane Battier/ Battle
C:CB/ Chris Bosh

Heat Inactive List: James Jones/ JJ and DeAndre Liggins/ D-Liggs

Brooklyn Nets Starting Lineup:
PG:Shaun Livingston/ S Dot
SG:Deron Williams/ D-Will
SF:Joe Johnson/ JJ
PF:Paul Pierce/ Truth
C:Mason Plumlee/ Plum

Nets Inactive List: Kevin Garnett/ The Ticket(knee) and Andrei Kirilenko/ ÐšÐ¸Ñ€Ð¸Ð»ÐµÐ½ÐºÐ¾ ( ankle)



The Miami Heat look on to continue their winning ways , since they ended a three game skid Monday night against the visiting Wizards by a score of 99-90. Tonight the Heat are facing off against a much improved Brooklyn Nets team who has posted a record of 22-9 since January 1st, the best record in the Eastern conference in the span of time. Meanwhile the Heat have lost 3 out of their past 4 games, which included losses to the Rockets, Spurs, and Bulls. In the process Lebron has been in a slump shooting the ball outside. Despite the recent struggles of the Heat they still own the second best home record in the league at 25-4, coming in to tonights game. Miami has won 11 out of their past 12 games at home in the American Airlines Arena.





Monday, March 10, 2014

Miami Heat VS. Washington Wizards

Miami Heat Starting Lineup:
PG:Mario Chalmers
SG:Dwyane Wade
SF:LeBron James
PF:Shane Battier
C:Chris Bosh

Heat Inactive List: James Jones and Greg Oden (rest)


Washington Wizards Starting Lineup:
PG:John Wall
SG:Bradley Beal
SF:Trevor Ariza
PF:Trevor Booker
C:Marcin Gortat

Wizards Inactive List: Kevin Seraphin (knee) 

The Miami Heat have been in a slump losing three consecutive games , since they went on a eight game winning streak. They have now lost three straight games against the Rockets, Spurs, and Bulls that started last Tuesday. Most recently the Heat lost 95-88 in O.T against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center in Chicago on Sunday afternoon. Over this losing streak LeBron James has  been struggling with his shot , ever since he scored his career high 61 points last Monday against the visiting Charlotte Bobcats. Since breaking the Miami Heat franchise record for most points in a game by a Heat player; James has scored 58 points combined while averaging 19.3 PPG during the three loses versus the Rockets,Spurs, and Bulls on 39% shooting including 3-for-27 shooting outside paint. James has shot 34.1% over the past two Heat games including a 33.3% outing versus the Spurs and a 34.8% shooting against the Chicago Bulls. LeBron hasn't shot under 40% in consecutive  games since December 13-15, 2010, where he combined for 11-31 versus the Pelicans and CavaliersThe Washington Wizards with a record of 33-29, come into tonights game winning 8 out of their last 9 games, including 5 straight road wins. Miami looks to regroup and return to their winning ways as they hope to improve to 33-17, as they inch closer to Indiana Pacers who have lost four consecutive games. Dwyane Wade is playing in his third back to back of the season, as the Heat tip-off against the Wizards and their young back court of Wall and Beal.

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls


Miami Heat(43-16)
@
Chicago Bulls(34-28)
1:00PM
Chicago,Illinois
United Center
Coverage exclusively  on ABC


This afternoons game is the fourth and final matchup of the season series between these two teams.
It is the finally of a season series, in which the Heat have won 2 out of the 3 games against the Chicago Bulls during this 2013-2014 NBA season. The Miami Heat come into todays national televised game losing two straight against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday and against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday. Before the Heat went on their current two game skid, they we rolling past their opponents winning left and right, as they won 8 consecutive games before their loss at Houston. Since LeBron's 61 point outing on Monday against the Charlotte Bobcats; LeBron has been playing subpar over the past two games, as he has struggled shooting the ball outside the paint.
 In Thursdays defeat against the Spurs,  LeBron James missed 10 out of his 11 shots from outside the paint. Despite losing two straight games the Heat still find themselves only 1.5 games behind the Pacers; who have been in a funk, losing their last three games. The Miami Heat look to bounce back against the Bulls as they look to improve to 44-16.


Miami Heat Starting Lineup:
PG:Mario Chalmers
SG:Dwyane Wade
SF:LeBron James
PF:Shane Battier
C:Chris Bosh

Chicago Bulls Starting Lineup:
PG:Kirk Hinrich
SG:Jimmy Butler
SF:Mike Dunleavy
PF:Carlos Boozer
C:Joakim Noah

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Miami Heat @ San Antonio Spurs







Miami Heat(43-15) @ San Antonio Spurs(44-16)
8:00PM
San Antonio, Texas
AT&T Center
Coverage on TNT and Sun Sports

The  Miami Heat are coming off a three-point lost 106-103 against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday. Miami looks to regroup as they attempt to win tonights game, and sweep the season series against the Spurs. Miami has been victorious in 8th out of their last 9 games, as they hope to continue to play at a high level to improve to 44-15. The Heat have posted a recorded of 11-2 since February 1 which leads the league during that same span of time. Last night the Indiana Pacers lost 109-87 against the Charlotte Bobcats, tying them with the Heat in the lost column in the conference standings. With Indiana's lost the Miami Heat find themselves 1.5 behind the Pacers, who own the best record  in the NBA. 
The last time these two teams played on January 26th the Heat won 113-101 at home in Miami. In that outing the Spurs didn't receive contributions from Tiago Splitter, Danny Green, and Kawhi Leonard, as they were all out due to injury. It was a game in which the Heat never trailed, they even opened up a 29 point lead somewhere along the game, as they rolled past the visiting San Antonio Spurs. Dwyane Wade came off the bench for the first time since January 6, 2008 in their last meeting, as he worked his way back from missing the Heat's previous 4 games. Chris Bosh scored 24 points on 9 for 10 shooting while LeBron James added 18 points in Miami's blowout win over the Spurs. 

Miami Heat Starting Lineup:
PG:Mario Chalmers
SG:Dwyane Wade
SF:LeBron James
PF:Shane Battier
C:Chris Bosh

Heat Inactive List:James Jones and DeAndre Liggins

San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineup:
PG:Tony Parker
SG:Danny Green
SF:Kawhi Leonard
PF:Boris Diaw
C:Tim Duncan
Spurs Inactive List:Jeff Ayres ( sprained right hand)


Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Miami Heat Vs. Houston Rockets

    

Miami Heat(43-14)
    @
Houston Rockets(40-19) 8:00PM EST

Houston, Texas

Toyota Center

Coverage on Sun Sports, CSNH and NBAtv



Miami Heat Starting Lineup:
PG:Mario Chalmers
SG:Dwyane Wade
SF:LeBron James
PF:Shane Battier
C:Chris Bosh

Heat Inactive List: James Jones and Greg Oden

Houston Rockets Starting Lineup:
PG:Patrick Beverly                                                                                                                       SG:James Harden
SF:Chandler Parsons
PF: Terrence Jones
C:Dwight Howard

Rockets Inactive List:Greg Smith(knee)

The Miami Heat look to pick up their 9th straight victory, as they square off against Dwight Howard and James Harden's Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center in H-town.This is the first game of the two-game season series, with the teams set to meet again at the American Airlines Arena in a nationally televised game on March 16th. This is the start of a three game road trip for the rolling Heat, which includes games versus the Rockets, Spurs, and Bulls.
 Since February 1st the Rockets have posted a record of 9-2. LeBron is fresh off a magnificent MVP caliber performance last night in which he scored 61 points (career high for points and a Miami Heat record for most points by a single player) on 22-33 from the floor; including 8 from 10 from beyond the arc, he recorded  7 rebounds and 5 assists as well. James went off in a game in which Dwyane Wade was out, as part of the continuous maintenance program the Heat have done all season to preserve Wade's knees. Wade  resting in the Heat's 124-107 victory over the visiting Charlotte Bobcats last night, seems to be a strategic plan to have him available for tonight's game, which is the second night of an back-to-back for Miami . For a great part of the season Wade has not played back-to-back- games; in the games he has played back-to-back Dwyane's knee's haven't responded well. Being cautious with Wade like the Heat have done is going to result in a healthy Wade in the playoffs; and a healthy Wade will be a key factor for a Heat Three-peat.
Both these teams can shoot the ball lights out; so tonight's game is sure going to be a high scoring, fast tempo, competitive basketball game. If the Miami Heat win today they will improve to 44-14, as they continue to chase the Pacers down for the best record in the East.