The Miami Heat look for an easy win against the Nets
Game preview for the Miami Heat vs Brooklyn Nets
Heat (24-21) vs Nets (12-33)
Where: Barclays Center – New York City, New York
When: Tuesday, Jan. 26, 7:30 PM ET
Watch: CSNC, FS-SUN, NBA League Pass
After just beating the Chicago Bulls 89-84 on the road Monday night, the Miami Heat are heading to New York in order to take on the Brooklyn Nets.
The Nets were victorious, 116-106, against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night, with Brook Lopez scoring a season-high 31 points. He also grabbed 10 rebounds. But even so, with only 12 wins under their belts (they currently sit at No. 14 in the Eastern Conference), this should be an easy win for the Heat.
Miami has already split a pair with Brooklyn this year.
Injuries are still looming though. Goran Dragic (calf), Hassan Whiteside (hip), Chris Andersen (knee), and Josh McRoberts (being Josh McRoberts) were all sidelined against the Bulls, while Dwyane Wade (shoulder), Tyler Johnson (shoulder) and Gerald Green (knee) played through their pain.
Miami has lost its last four out of five games, dropping to the No. 8 seed in the East. Having started off the year strong, this is certainly not where Heat Nation envisioned their team to be.
Of course, the good news is that in the Eastern Conference, it only takes a few wins to climb back up to the top. So here is hoping that road to success starts on Tuesday night, against Brooklyn. The Heat need all the easy wins they can get.
Matchup To Watch: Brook Lopez vs. Chris Bosh
Although Hassan Whiteside would also have been strong competition against Lopez, he is currently a little banged up. Having keeled over during Miami’s game against the Washington Wizards last Wednesday, the big man strained his oblique. And a timetable for his return is yet to really be set.
That aside, Lopez has also given Whiteside some trouble in the past.
Therefore, Chris Bosh will have to be the one to contain Lopez as best as he can, despite being more offensively inclined. Although he is currently averaging a strong 19.1 points and 7.7 rebounds a game, Bosh falls short of Lopez’s 19.8 and 8.3. However, the difference is that Lopez is more or less carrying his team on his back, while Bosh can always depend on backup. Expect some double-team action from the likes of Justise Winslow and Amar’e Stoudemire, joining forces with Bosh.
X-Factor: Dwyane Wade
Generally speaking, if Wade gets going, the team does well. Obviously, plenty of talent can be found in his supporting cast but having lost LeBron James, the 34-year-old guy is the team’s catalyst for success.
In Miami’s earlier win against the Nets, Wade scored 28 points on 13-of-17 shooting. He also finished with 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocks. In other words, he was doing it all. And as long as he does so again on Tuesday night, the Heat should have no problem having their way with their opponent.
Also, both of Brooklyn’s guards are playing less-than-inspired basketball lately. Donald Sloan is racking in 5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.1. assists, while Wayne Ellington is averaging just 6.3, 2.1 and 0.9. Clearly, neither of them are close to giving Wade a run for his money, on either end of the court.
Key Stats (as of Monday morning):
Miami Heat offensive efficiency: 22nd, 101.4 points per 100 possessions
Miami Heat defensive efficiency: 6th, 100.2 points per 100 possessions
Brooklyn Nets offensive efficiency: 28th, 98.2 points allowed per 100 possessions
Brooklyn Nets defensive efficiency: T-25th, 105.9 points allowed per 100 possessions