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............................................. vs.
................................................................................................................................................(5-3).........................................................................................................................(6-1)



........................................................................................................................................................• Thursday, November 12th, 2009
........................................................................................................................................................• 8:00 PM - ET
........................................................................................................................................................• American Airlines Arena
........................................................................................................................................................• Miami, FL
........................................................................................................................................................• TNT, WTAM1000



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...................................................................................................PF: C: SF:
.......................................................................................................................................... PG: SG:


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..........................................................................................................................................PG: SG:
...................................................................................................PF: C: SF:


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...............................................................................................................................................................................................Key Matchup

..........................................................................................
• Who will outplay who?
• Who will lead their team to a victory?



...............................................................................................................................................................................................Game Notes

ESPN wrote:In the ongoing drama surrounding next summer's free-agent class, rumors have swirled of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, who have been teammates in All-Star games and the Olympics and are friends off the court, teaming up to form a mega-tandem.

For the time being, James is focused on winning with the Cleveland Cavaliers while Wade is trying to do the same with the Miami Heat.

With his team starting to find its rhythm after a sluggish start, James and the Cavaliers seek their sixth victory in seven games Thursday night when they visit Wade and a Heat team trying to open 7-1 for the first time in franchise history.

In nearly every arena James visits, the reigning league MVP has been bombarded with questions of potentially opting out of his contract at the end of this season and becoming a free agent.

Frustrated by the repeated questions about his future, James said prior to Wednesday's 102-93 win in Orlando he would no longer talk about the subject again this season.

"I think I owe it to myself, and I owe it to my teammates," he said. "It's just getting old. I'm focusing on this season, and this is going to be a really good season for us. I don't want any more distractions for my teammates, for my organization, for my family. This will be the last time I answer a free agent question for the rest of the year."

On the court, James' Cavaliers (5-3) have won five of six after opening the season with consecutive losses. The latest victory over the Magic was arguably their biggest.

Cleveland was unable to slow down Orlando center Dwight Howard in last season's Eastern Conference finals, and got eliminated in six games. To prevent that from happening again, the Cavs traded for Shaquille O'Neal in the offseason.

Although the 37-year-old center is no longer the unstoppable force he once was, he helped to justify the trade by limiting Howard to 11 points Wednesday and forcing him into foul trouble.

O'Neal finished with 10 points and four rebounds while James led the way with 36 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

O'Neal is now set to return to Miami for only the second time as an opponent since helping Wade and the Heat win the 2006 NBA championship.

Miami has won just three playoff games since then -- all coming last season in a first-round exit to Atlanta -- but is looking strong early in 2009-10.

The Heat (6-1) defeated Washington 90-76 on Tuesday, matching the 1999-2000 club for the best start in franchise history.

"It feels good to be winning," Miami guard Quentin Richardson said despite going scoreless against the Wizards.

Although the Heat are off to a fast start, they've only played two teams with winning records, splitting those contests. They feel this matchup against one of the early championship favorites is a significant test.

"You can say that Cleveland's one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference with Boston and Orlando," Miami point guard Mario Chalmers said. "We're just trying to prove ourselves, prove that we belong right up there with the best."

Wade scored 41 points Tuesday, the second time in three games the five-time All-Star has topped 40, both against Washington.

Wade was limited to 29 points or fewer in all four meetings with the Cavs last season, only one of which Miami won.

James averaged 31.8 points with one triple-double in the 2008-09 season series, and scored 80 total points in the two games in Miami.

...................................Time to get serious.. No more partying.

Hickson vs Beasly!

This is a must win game and there should be no "back to back" excuses. I'd be extremely disappointed if we lose this.

prekazi wrote:This is a must win game and there should be no "back to back" excuses. I'd be extremely disappointed if we lose this.

yep need em both...at least with the team being on a b2b, partying the night before in miami shouldnt be an option (at least i hope not lol)

party your asses off after we win tonight, boys...not before

Is Westparado playing?

Nice job Frankie - all over the game threads.

I've been watching MIA on league pass, they are a good team. Especially defensively they get after it, Mo will have his problems with Chalmers in his grill.

If Delonte can play I like our chances but without him Wade will destroy us.

We need Brother Red for this one badly.

I agree...it's a very nice thread again Frankie.

I hope Shaq is motivated going against his former team and Delonte plays.

I am thinking since the Delonte didn't have to take a plane to Miami...he plays tonight which will greatly aid the CAVs against Heat.

Thanks for the compliment guys. Miami is looking surprisingly well this season, but I still believe that we are the better team. So I expect us to come out on top.

Also per Windy tweet.. West to be inactive tonight vs. Heat.

^Yeah, I just saw it. Terrible news .

prekazi wrote:^Yeah, I just saw it. Terrible news .

Honestly, if we can beat Orlando without West, I think we'll be fine vs. Miami.. The only things that may bother us is playing on the 2nd night of a back to back, and whether the team was partying after the victory last night.

^Well the thing is there's a 6'4 dude called Dwyane Wade and Delonte was our only guy outside of LeBron who can stay in front of him.

I'm really uncomfortable with Hickson being a starter. Beasley may light him up.

Shaq is bringing it early. He is moving quick out there.

We're able to feed Shaq. Nice! 11-4 start.

Oh come on LeBron that should be an and1.

We are gonna have a problem with D-Wade - we need to change up our defense on that P&R with J'Oneal.

Wow, lots of flopping on Miami's part

How was that not a foul?

Q-Rich is wounded.