Short of Help, LeBron James and Miami Heat Fall To Nets in Double Overtime

Jan 10, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Joe Johnson (7) dribbles against Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) during the first overtime at Barclays Center. The Brooklyn Nets won the game 104-95 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

On a night Dwyane Wade, Shane Battier and Mario Chalmers sat, and LeBron James fouled out late in the fourth quarter, the Miami Heat sorely needed somebody to step up.

Deduction could only lead to one conclusion: Chris Bosh stepped up.

Well, he didn’t. The Miami Heat lost to the Brooklyn Nets 104-92 in double overtime Friday night.

Mandatory preface when reacting to any Heat game: It is only January and the Heat virtually have the No. 2 seed locked up. Now, let me write about basketball because what the hell else am I supposed to do during the regular season?

Okay. Moving on.

After Norris Cole hit the game-tying jumper to force overtime, Bosh did not take a shot in post-regulation until he missed a chucked up 30-footer with 1:22 before the loss was final.

James was frustrated all night and, in a rare moment, freaked out when he was flagrantly fouled by the Nets.

Jan 10, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets power forward Mirza Teletovic (33) and Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) argue after a flagrant foul by Teletovic on James during the second half at Barclays Center. The Brooklyn Nets won the game 104-95 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

He was sent to the bench on a bad charge call late in the fourth quarter.

When James went down, it was time for Bosh to step up. Instead, he disappeared on offense. He finished with just 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting. Ray Allen, who was wearing his Jesus Shuttlesworth jersey, was anything but. Allen struggled badly from the field in Barclays Center, going 2-of-14 against many of his former teammates. The Heat could not find consistent scoring anywhere with so many key players out.

There is no reason to overreact to this loss. The Heat won’t be short this many players in the playoffs and the team was tired after playing three times in four nights. However, Bosh’s disappearing act is concerning.

To be fair, Bosh did play very well on defense. After Joe Johnson scored 19 points in the first quarter, Bosh played on him for much of the second half. But the Heat shouldn’t have to compromise when it comes to one of their star players. It was Bosh’s time and he let it slip through his hands. Luckily, it is only January. Hopefully, Bosh doesn’t let it happen in April.