Recap: Miami Heat (55-14) Beat the Charlotte Bobcats (16-54) — 26 Straight Baby!
By Jae Bradley
Mar 24, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) makes a shot past Charlotte Bobcats center Byron Mullens (22) in the first period at the American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Final Score: Heat (109) over Bobcats (77)
MVP:
LeBron James (32 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists)
Quick Recap:
No Dwayne? No Problem. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
The big news from tonight was that Dwayne Wade did not play due to an injured right knee. Spoelstra said that “he got hit in the knee a couple games back and it is just sore, bruised.” The Heat have decided to rest Wade in order to accelerate his recovery — he could be ready for Monday’s game at Orlando.
With Mike Miller starting in Dwayne Wade’s place, Miami got out to a slow start and were down 8-19 early in the first quarter. However, they would finish the first quarter on a 15-0 run to take a 23-19 lead. The Heat started the second quarter like they ended the first, and were up 47-39 at halftime. The top three scorers for Miami at halftime were LeBron (14 points), Bosh (12 points), and Allen (8 points).
Throughout the third quarter, Miami maintained their advantage, ending the quarter up 73-57. Then, in the fourth quarter, the Heat went on a 10-2 run with 9:57 left to go up by 24. Miami didn’t let off the acceleration either as a huge Birdman chase-down block at one end led to a LeBron windmill dunk at the other, and the Heat were up by 26.
Later in the quarter, there was a JUWAN HOWARD SIGHTING (yes, he still plays for the Heat). Howard checked in for his first minutes this year, finishing with a stat line of 3 minutes, 2 points, 1 rebound and 2 assists. At this rate, he’d be averaging 32 points, 16 rebounds and 32 assists per 48 minutes! Woooo, go Juwan! But in all seriousness, congrats to Juwan on the fact that he can play at age 40 (and have a +/- of +5…though it was the Bobcats).
The win over the Bobcats makes it 26 straight (nearly Chris Bosh’s age…who turned 29 today! Happy Birthday Chris Bosh!) — only seven games away from vaunted number 33.
The next game is tomorrow against the Orlando Magic, in Orlando. Game time is 7PM.
Highlight Reel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-hmTtiIQ5E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeW8u7VlVbc