platoon793

As Flash said, it was garbage time in a 30 point blowout. Howard played less than 200 minutes in the regular season in 28 games. He's played in 3 games so far, 11 minutes total in the playoffs. Why was he in the game? Because it was garbage time. Spoelstra just emptied out the bench.

Agree with everything you said Real Deal. Pittman's wink just showed what a dirty play it really was.

What an insightful post.

Yeah, I think so too. Probably around 7-8 games.

After looking at it several more times, he's probably going to be out for far more. Not that Heat will miss him at all, but still it was such a stupid play.

Agreed. Going on that, what the [expletive] was Pittman thinking? Absolutely stupid and dirty play. That probably should have been a flagrant two as well. Definitely looked intentional. Anyway, great game for the Heat. Great shooting for the Heat, and very good defense. Still need to cut down on the Pacers' offensive rebounds (what kept them in the game in the 1st half). Also, Heat still missing a lot of free throws, especially Wade. Those can come back and haunt us if the game is close.

The rulebook says: A flagrant 1 is unnecessary contact. This is usually when a defensive player swings and makes hard contact with the offensive player or makes hard contact and then follows through. I'd say it qualifies pretty well for a flagrant. Doesn't matter that he got the ball first, he made hard contact, and it was on the head. I'll give you that Haslem should have gotten a flagrant 2, but to say Hansbrough's wasn't a flagrant just because he got the ball first is pretty stupid. You can't swing down your arm like that on a player.

I guess you haven't taken too many hits in the head. Hansbrough came down pretty hard, and Wade was even cut on the play. I don't see why you are complaining about Wade going on the ground. As for Haslem, I basically agree. I understand the whole protect your teammate thing, but to make such a play at such a crucial time was just plain stupid. Also, great way for the Heat to finish the quarter. This third quarter is going to be huge. Hope the Heat can replicate the run they had last game in the 3rd.

Lkr, I believe the reason Hansbrough's was a flagrant was because he came down so hard on Wade. Doesn't really matter if he got the ball first or not, especially since he also hit Wade's head.

I doubt Haslem will be suspended for Game 6. Probably just fined.

Good start for the Heat so far. Have to cut back on those stupid turnovers though and rebound. Indiana already has 3 offensive rebounds.

Haha, yeah, I remember one 3 second call that wasn't called where Hibbert was just camping in the paint for at least 6-8 seconds, maybe more.

Seriously. I was yelling at the TV for fouls all game. Also, I hope Miller is okay, he seemed a bit banged up. He played his heart out today, loved his effort today. Same with Haslem.

Heat playing flat out awful in the 3rd.

Haha, thanks. Probably won't be posting too much due to finals coming up and all but I'll try to post every now and then.

Offensive rebounds seem to have kept the Knicks right in the game so far. Heat need to do a better job of that in the 2nd quarter

I'm glad at least someone on the Heat showed some sort of emotion after the loss.

Don't see the Heat coming back from this. Embarrassing we are down this much when we are getting a lot of calls.

lol, Heat getting the calls but not taking advantage (15-26 from free throws) and down 9.

I think that could go both ways regarding Chandler. There were several times where I saw him just knock a player down and never get called for a loose ball foul or over the back, yet the Heat players barely touched someone and they got called for a loose ball foul. And LeBron wasn't getting any calls tonight. Couldn't believe they didn't call a foul on Marion with a minute left in the game.

Yeah, definitely glad Heat were able to pull a win out of this through that horrible officiating.

Heat 40 points in the paint, Dallas 22. Yet, Dallas called only for 14 fouls, Heat for 27. Dallas 27 free throws, Heat 15. [expletive]ing ridiculous.

The officiating was horrid both ways. Yes, the Heat got a lot of questionable calls in that 2nd quarter, but the Bulls got a lot of close calls that went their way in the 4th. Definitely glad to see Haslem back. Huge difference maker. He can run with the Bulls' bigs and is a great rebounder, post defender, and just flat out gives it his all out there on the court. Great game for him. Should be a good confidence booster.

And Boston was 3-1 vs. Miami. Every game we played against Chicago was close. They could definitely beat us, but they haven't been playing terribly well so far in the playoffs. If Chicago does in fact win their series, which they should, it should make for a great series. In terms of the remaining teams though, the one team that really really scares me is the Mavs.

Kidd sort of held onto Kobe. Foul could have been called, though Kobe tripped a bit too. Tough call to make.