Heat Avoid Collapse, Beat Sixers

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 17:51:19 +0000

The Miami Heat were on their way to a blowout victory, until “Welcome to Miami” singer and famous actor, Will Smith, showed up courtside to cheer on the Sixers, the team he owns a part of. At the end, the Heat (32-11) managed to hold on to the lead and beat the Sixers (25-19) 84-78.

Miami started off strong, being led by LeBron James, who had 29 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals and blocks. The first half was all Miami, who raced to a 57-30 lead at halftime. Dwyane Wade had one of his worst shooting games of the season, s going 6-16 from the floor with 12 points. Wade did manage to grab 11 rebounds and dish out 6 assists. Chris Bosh continued his slump, shooting 4-12 and only having 10 points and 6 rebounds. Mario Chalmers shot well, 4-6 from the field, including 2 threes, and had 10 points and 4 assists.

The Heat’s bench played solid, but did not do anything amazing. Udonis Haslem went 5-7 with 10 points and Shane Battier chipped in with 6. Miami got outrebounded 54-42 and shot a terrible 52.6% from the free throw line. When the 3rd quarter started, Miami came out soft and the lead started to dwindle.

Philadelphia was led by Evan Turner, 13 points and 8 rebounds, and All-Star Andrew Iguodala, who had 11 points and 10 rebounds. Sixth man and the Sixers’ leading scorer on the season, Lou Williams, had 12 points and 4 assists off the bench for Philadelphia. The Sixers were without Spencer Hawes, whose achilles is still sore. Even without him, the Sixers managed to outrebound the Heat and eliminate the post.

Miami got complacent with their huge lead and almost blew this game. For some reason, it seems like the Heat never come out strong in the 2nd half. As a title contender, it’s important for Miami to always come out strong and build on that lead, not to try and maintain it. Also, rebounding continues to be a major issue for the Heat. Miami is now 5-4 and after the All-Star break and takes on Orlando on Sunday. Come to All U Can Heat tomorrow for a preview of the game.

Heat vs. Sixers Preview

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 21:23:06 +0000

Tonight, the Miami Heat (31-11) go to Philadelphia to take on the 76ers (25-18) and try to snap their 4-game road losing streak. This is a pretty important game for the Heat, as the 76ers are one of the best teams in the East and Miami needs to show that they can beat the top teams on the road. It will be the third and last game of the Heat’s road trip, which has only consisted of losses to Orlando and Chicago.

The Heat have owned Philadelphia recently, winning the last 10 regular season games and knocking them out of the 1st round of the playoffs last year. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade have been doing all they can to avoid these losses, but the bench and other role players need to step it up. Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole have been play weak as of late, and Chris Bosh has been shaky since his return. Chalmers and Shane Battier need to shoot better from three, as they are relied on to make them. Don’t be surprised to see James Jones get more meaningful minutes. Since Mike Miller went down with an ankle sprain, Jones has been getting more time and hitting some big threes.

Philly is an up and coming young team led by Andre Iguodala, and freshly-returned Spencer Hawes. Iguodala was an All-Star and Hawes was borderline. Also keep an eye out for energetic, second-year man Evan Turner, who has been tearing it up as of late for the Sixers. Lou Williams has been the Sixers’ spark off the bench, leading the team in scoring with 15.9 points per game.

It’s important that the Heat start off strong. The Sixers do not have the talent or athleticism to beat Miami, but they certainly play very well together. The Heat will do whatever possible to avoid extending this road-losing streak, but expect the Sixers to come out swinging. Come back after the game for post-game analysis.

All U Can Heat » Elton Brand

Heat Avoid Collapse, Beat Sixers

Heat vs. Sixers Preview