Sacramento @ Miami

[alcstarheel]

Sacramento @ Miami
Time: 7:30 PM ET
TV: --

[Cobb]

Even though the Heat tend not to play so well on the second night of back-to-backs playing the struggling Kings should help.

 

I got the Heat in this one considering how bad the Kings have been struggling lately.

[Poe]

The Heat had one of their most efficient offensive games in their last match up against the Kings. Last time, though, Joel Anthony was starting at center. Let's see the difference with having O'Neal in the paint.

Edited January 23, 2010 by Poe

[Poe]

Again, the Heat are playing very efficient on offense, hitting 58% in the first half, though they haven't had more than 9 assists compared to the 29 total (I think) in their last game in SAC.

 

Beasley is only 3-8 in his shots, but he has been terrific defensively in his rotations, and is on his way to a career high in rebounds with 9 to start the game.

 

O'Neal is playing efficient on offense again, though he needs to grab more boards. He's too used to being the skill guy, I want to see him do more dirty work.

 

Wright's been having things go his way on offense with 10 points, including that bounce pass to Jermaine than went off Casspi's shoulder and into the basket.

 

Wade has been Wade so far, and then some. 8/10 to start the game, plus 3/3 from the FT line. 19 points and 6 assists, and the second half hasn't even started. Amazing offensive production.

 

I liked the line up for the last 5 minutes of the half. Wade - Wright - Richardson - Beasley - O'Neal. Spoe is probably doing it for match up purposes, though I think that line up seems to be the most productive for the Heat this year. I'm starting to think it should be the starting line up with Alston coming off the bench at point, and Jones to be a filler at the 3.

[SRV]

We are such a weird team..why can't we play like we have the last two nights on a consistent basis? Is that so much to ask?

 

If we gave 100% effort every night we would be leading our division, we are only 6 games behind.

[Poe]

Another game decided in the first quarter... let's just hope the good side shows up against the Cavs on Monday.

[SRV]

Our last 4 games have gone like this

 

Pacers..win by 30

Bobcats...lose by 40

Wizards..win by 25

Kings..win by 30

 

Now I know we won't blow out the Cavs, so lets just I want this little trend to end.

[Poe]

Our last 4 games have gone like this

 

Pacers..win by 30

Bobcats...lose by 40

Wizards..win by 25

Kings..win by 30

 

Now I know we won't blow out the Cavs, so lets just I want this little trend to end.

The blowout wins come from the Heat playing with full intensity from the get-go, dictating the tempo early on, and sustaining it throughout the game. The only reason why this type of play resulted in blow outs was because of the level of competition they were facing. The Heat should be beating most under .500 teams by double digits consistently. This is how the Heat will need to play in order to put themselves in a position to beat the Cavs, and hopefully move up a seed or two in the East later on.