Oh, so people were doubting the Clippers? Well, we’ll see about that.
The Miami Heat were nothing more than bystanders to Lob City, as the Los Angeles Clippers came into American Airlines Arena and beat-down the home team 110-93. The win moves L.A. to 7-4, while the Heat fall back to .500 at 6-6.
The Heat were without Dwyane Wade for a fourth straight game, as he continues to nurse a hamstring injury that he suffered last Wednesday against Indiana. His status remains in question for this weekend’s games against Orlando and Charlotte.
Chris Paul led the Clipper-machine that ran up-and-down the Heat throats, scoring 26 points (8 for 13 from the field), dishing out 12 assists, and hitting 3 three-pointers. One of the NBA’s best point guards was at his peak, as Miami was no much for him.
Blake Griffin scored 26 points, on 12 for 18 shooting, as he continues to build confidence with the jumper that people used to criticize him for not using. Well, he’s no longer just a crazy dunker, boys and girls. DeAndre Jordan chipped in 12 points and 11 rebounds, while JJ Redick hit 4 of 8 three-pointers, in route to 14 points.
Things that pleased me: In a game like this, you have to find the silver lining somehow. Chris Bosh broke out of his slump, scoring 28 points on 9 for 17 shooting. He also contributed 7 rebounds, but had his hands full dealing with Griffin and Jordan on defense. Even in the dumpster fire that was this defeat, Bosh had to feel good see the ball going through the basket. Hopefully this carries over to Saturday’s game in Orlando.
Things that annoyed me: Primetime Thursday game on national television and the Heat came out as flat as the Great Plains. Maybe it was the late-arriving crowd. Maybe it was Wade’s absence. Whatever it was, it was awful to watch. Everything that the Clippers did right, the Heat did wrong. The Heat were out-assisted 31-11, and were destroyed in the paint 44-26. Of course Paul will help pad the assist numbers, but Jamal Crawford chipped in 9 assists of his own. Los Angeles also shot 55.8% from the field, and probably could have been at 60%, if it weren’t for their bench players chucking up shots in garbage time.
The Clippers jumped out to a 39-15 first quarter lead, on the strength of excellent shooting, unselfish passing, and a lackadaisical effort by the Heat to start the game. From there the tone was set for the rest of the evening. Miami’s shooting woes didn’t help, starting the first quarter shooting 7 for 21 from the field. The Heat seem to have that quarter where they can’t make baskets, and sadly it was to open the game. The Heat actually outscored the Clippers 79-71 in the following three quarters, but you can’t play trying to dig yourself out of an early hole against a championship contender.
Things that perplexed me: Yes, I might be a little biased because I’m driving the James Ennis bandwagon, as well as wrote a piece about finding ways to get him more playing time (CHEAP PLUG!), but the Heat actually went backwards with him, giving him just 11 minutes – 5 of those with the game already decided in the fourth quarter.
Look, I get that Coach Erik Spoelstra has to incorporate Danny Granger back into the rotation, so he’s going to pick up some minutes. But Shannon Brown got 21 minutes. 21! Although he played well (9 points, on 4 for 7 shooting), Brown should be nothing more than a stop-gap role-player when someone is in foul trouble. Even in a blowout, giving run to the younger players helps them going forward. WHY CAN’T WE JUST HAVE FUN, SPO???
Scale of 1 to 10, how bad did I want to throw a lamp because of Mario Chalmers?: 1. A bright spot for the Heat. Chalmers scored 13 points, on 4 for 6 shooting from the field, with 3 assists, and 3 steals. Chalmers is fourth on the team in scoring (13.4 ppg) and has made the adjustment to coming off the bench quite nicely. He’s probably scheduling his banner raising ceremony.
What we’ve learned: That the Clippers are better than what they’ve shown in the early going.
The Heat? It’s hard to say, since they’ve rarely been at full strength. Whether it’s Wade, Josh McRoberts, or Luol Deng, the Heat have been battling the injury bug early on. Coach Spoelstra has been mixing and matching guys in efforts to find a lineup that can function on both ends of the court. Miami had questionable depth coming into the season and now that’s make its presence felt.
The Heat look to get healthy and rebound this Saturday against the Magic in Orlando.