Heat Win without Big Three

Monday night at the Quicken Loans Arena, the Miami Heat faced off against the Cleveland Cavaliers, a team that has a record of 24-57. Miami's starters did not play in this game for one reason and that was to stay healthy until the playoffs where they will dominate. Lebron James and Chris Bosh traveled to the game and watched from the bench while Dwyane Wade, Shane Battier, and Udonis Haslem stayed in Miami with diminutive injuries. Only two more games left, Coach Eric Spoelstra knows that these NBA champions need to be refreshed as possible heading into the postseason. The starting lineup of Norris Cole, Juwan Howard, Mike Miller, Joel Anthony, and Rashard Lewis.

Throughout the last few games, Miami Heat bench players has stepped up and produced some big minutes. Altrhough this game didn't mean that much, it allowed for these bench players to get some additional minutes. Point guard, Norris Cole had a season high 16 points and nine assists in addition to his career high 11 rebounds. Rashard Lewis scored 19 points and Ray Allen scored 11 points and 6 assists. Throughout the game, the Heat led most of the way until the Cavaliers made a comeback. With 14.2 seconds, Cole missed to key 2 free throws that would put the Heat up by three. It was Cleveland ball on the other side of the court and Norris Cole came up with the steal. Miami emerged with a 96-95 victory over Cleveland

After the game, he even said, "I worked hard to get to this point. I appreciate everything and I think back to all the work I put in to be here, just to be blessed enough to be on a team like this. I'm more confident this year." Coach Spoelstra knows that when he puts Cole into a game, he is going to work hard and do whatever he can to win for the team.

 

As James and the rest of the Big Three rest, the Miami Heat still prsent a major threat to other team and it showed in this game against Cleveland. The Heat also beat Olrdando Magic on Wednesday night, their last game of the season ending with a record of 66-16. The Heat will face Brandon Jennings and the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the playoffs on Sunday. Be sure to watch because I'm predicting that the Heat will win the first four games and proceed to the semifinals with ease.

 

 

Heat Lose to Knicks

The Miami Heat's played against the New York Knicks at the American Airlines Arena on Tuesday night without Dwayne Wade, Lebron James, and Mario Chalmers who are three of the Heat's starters. This is the second straight time that these three have missed a game. James is dealing with a sore hamstring and Wade has a sprained ankle. In the first game they were absent, Chris Bosh had hit a game winner against Tony Parker and the San Antonio Spurs. Many individuals thought that the Heat would lose this game but our players stepped up and got the win. On the night of the New York Knicks game, it wouldn't have mattered if James and Wade were in the starting lineup because the playoffs are right around the corner and Miami's superstars need some rest. If the winning streak was still alive, this game would have been number 29 but they lost to the Chicago Bulls about a week ago.

New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony dropped 50 points tying his career high tuesday night. He was efficient and shot 18-26 from the field in addition to 7-10 three pointers. The Knicks shot an impressive 14 for 27 from the three point line that night. For the Miami Heat, center Chris Bosh scored 23 points and six rebounds while Mike Miller added 18 points. But that wasn't enough to lead the team to victory. This loss at home ended the Heat's 17-game winning streak which was the best in the NBA.

The Heat only trailed by eight at halftime and had a chance in the third quarter to take the lead. But the Knicks were able to keep pace and keep the lead throughout the game. Shane Battier and Udonis Haslem struggled to defend Carmelo Anthony on the perimeter. The New York Knicks won 102 to 90.

Coach Spoelstra from the Miami Heat said after the game, "Our guys really competed and left it all out there. They took it to another level and we weren't able to get to that level in the fourth quarter". Miami plays the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday and they hope to secure the best record in the league.