Ranking Miami Heat’s Christmas Wins: Three Words, Vintage LeBron & Dwyane
Dwyane Wade was relentless in the 2008-09 season and he looked like the best player in the league. Nobody could guard that man and he made sure of it, as the Heat took a holiday trip to New York.
9. 2009- Miami Heat at New York Knicks
It wasn’t a very pretty game, altogether, as both teams struggled in the first half but it wasn’t about the overall game from both teams. It was about the takeover from Wade.
Wade had a dominant 30 points, nine boards, five assists, and 4 steals with minimal help from teammates, though the Jermaine O’Neal jumper in the closing minute delivered a sigh of relief. Wade was giving out buckets in any way he wanted to and the Heat came out with a 93-87 win because of it.
What a beautiful gift from your franchise superstar. The Knicks wore their green jerseys, while the Heat wore their red, certainly checking the box for a Christmas vibe.
8. 2013- Miami Heat at Los Angeles Lakers
Sadly, this game would be LeBron and Wade’s last Christmas Day game together as teammates, but wow did they end it with a bang. The Heat gathered in the Staples Center, as they looked to take on the not-so-good Lakers and with even worse news, Kobe Bryant would not be playing.
The Lakers, however, did not go out without a fight, as they put together a good collective effort against the reigning champs. They had multiple players in double figures and now with flowers given, let’s talk about the highlights.
There were the two incredible lobs from Wade to James, with one that included a behind-the-head no-look pass to James, for which he threw down ferociously. The next was an off-the-backboard pass where James flushed with his left hand, leaving the crowd and viewers stunned.
It felt like the Heat didn’t want to beat up on them, so they kept it close, which made it very entertaining as they drove home for the win, 101-95. The jerseys for this year were sleeved and I think they looked pretty nice (even owning a sleeved Christmas LeBron jersey myself).
A moment of silence for the sleeved jerseys, please.