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Heat-Timberwolves Preview
Finishing games, defending, and attacking offensively have sparked the Miami Heat, who seek just their second 4-0 start in franchise history Friday night when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Much was made of the Heat's inability to close out games in June when they lost to Dallas in the NBA finals. Thus far, they have shown an ability to deliver in crunch time - first rookie Norris Cole against Boston on Tuesday and franchise star Dwyane Wade the following night in a 96-95 victory at Charlotte.
Wade, who missed nearly all of the third quarter with a bruised foot and scored just 10 points, banked a 10-footer in the low post with 2.9 seconds left for the winning basket as Miami rallied from 15 down at halftime.
"Hey, they deserved to take my money today," said Wade, who has averaged 31.4 points on 54.9 percent shooting in his last seven games against Minnesota. "But I earned my money toward the end."
The rally was sparked by the defense, which forced 11 third-quarter turnovers while Miami outscored Charlotte 24-10. The Heat have recorded 32 steals and scored 85 points off 62 turnovers.
Getting those turnovers has helped LeBron James get off to a strong start offensively. He had 12 points and three steals in the third quarter Wednesday and is averaging 32.7 points on 58.9 percent shooting.
"I feel good and this is the best I've felt in a while," James said. "I'm back to having fun playing the game and doing what I do best and that's attacking and getting to the free throw line."
James is 32 of 37 from the line, and the Heat have made 73 free throws - as many as their opponents have attempted. They also have amassed a 148-92 edge in points in the paint, scoring at least 44 in each game.
Miami's other 4-0 start came in 2004-05.
Interior defending and decision-making will be critical for Minnesota (0-2), which was outscored 48-28 in the paint and committed 25 turnovers in a 98-95 defeat at Milwaukee on Tuesday. The loss overshadowed a 31-point, 20-rebound effort from Kevin Love, who made 19 of his franchise-record 24 foul shots.
"We just dug ourselves a hole we shouldn't have been in," said Love, whose team nearly overcame a 20-point deficit. "We turned the ball over too much and they made some shots."
Rookie point guard Ricky Rubio had six points, four assists and three steals in 27 minutes, but he struggled defensively against counterpart Brandon Jennings late. Fellow rookie and No. 2 overall pick Derrick Williams had three points, five rebounds and four turnovers in 19 minutes after a 13-point, six-rebound debut in Monday's 104-100 loss to Oklahoma City.
Guard J.J. Barea did not practice Thursday due to a strained left hamstring and his status for this game is uncertain. He averaged 13.3 points and 4.7 assists to help the Mavericks win the last three games of the finals over Miami.
This marks the beginning of a tough five-game homestand for the Wolves, who start 2012 with back-to-back games against Dallas and San Antonio. Minnesota is trying to avoid its worst start since opening 2007-08 with five losses.
Wade and James made quick work of Minnesota in a pair of lopsided wins last season. Wade averaged 29.0 points and shot 26 of 38, and James contributed 23.5 points and 11.0 assists per game.
Miami has won three straight overall versus the Timberwolves and three in a row at Minnesota.

Heat vs. Timberwolves: Dwyane Wade highlights - 32 points (4.1.11)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NBmuDW1gt4[/youtube]

Might be headed to Bokamper's for this one.

We need to abuse their defense from the start, really get the jump on them and take the crowd out of it. Their young players feed on energy from the crowd, we need to run more than we did in the Charlotte game. In the first half of that game we got stuck in the half court offense. Shutdown Beasley early and he'll shoot them out of it, he's like Westbrook, he doesn't know when to stop shooting.

Predict Kevin Love's stat line -

25 - 20?

Today will be the Twolves first win, good luck fellas.

After his subpar outing, D-Wade is absolutely due for a great game.

Kingleonel wrote:Today will be the Twolves first win, good luck fellas.

Isn´t it Lebrons birthday tonight?

Here is what he has put up last years on his birthday:

Previous birthday games
2009 - 48 pts, 10 reb, 6 ast
2008 - 38 pts, 2 reb, 7 ast
2006 - 33 pts, 9 reb, 3 ast
2003 - 22 pts, 10 reb, 4 ast

So far every team we've played has shot lights out except for the Mavs. T'Wolves as a team are probably due for a 120 point night. It will be a tough game. Chalmers can't let Barea/Rubio into the lane like he did Augustyn. That's for sure. Also we gotta keep Love off the offensive glass.

This gonna be more tough than we probably think. They were neck and neck with the Thunder, and we're very similar to the Thunder.

Unless Wade or LBJ breaks out.

Beasley has also been such a shotjacker lol.

lol Ira brought up that Chalmers and Beasley were looking to hang out possibly. Maybe for a smoke?

Atack the basket and put Love in foul trouble. Without him, they dont have second chance oportunities and we can run the floor with the fast break.

Dont settle for the J early. Atack the basket

I wonder if they put Love or Darko on Bosh. I'm assuming Darko, but I don't know if anyone on their team can actually stop him. We sometimes forget that Bosh is an elite PF, who can have his way with just about anyone except KG (and he's been scoring on him too lately) and Dwight.

None of their guys matchup well with Bron and Wade either. Rio and Luke kinda cancel each other out. You almost wish Joel doesn't start tonight so Love can't just leave him and go for rebounds. I feel we should start UD over Joel for that reason.

Anyway, Wolves play no defense, and without Barea, I feel our defense should be strong. Rubio is a good PG, and he's gonna have a size advantage on Cole. They should be matched-up against a lot since they're both backups. I'm interested to see that play out.

I don't expect this to be a close one. I don't see a trap either. Let's go Heat! PEACE.

DONT LET GO OF THE ROPE!!!

I think this game will be more exciting and back and forth (for at least portion of the contest) then we all may think.

in the end though DWade is due for a 30 point game and Lebron is going to toy with Beasley.

I am looking forward to seeing Cole vs Rubio also.

LETS GO HEAT

this is going to be an embarrassing game.

Look for Ridnour and Rubio to abuse Chalmers.
Wes Johnson will play really great defense on Wade and limit him to 10 pts.
I can see Beasley going for 30+ and ruining LeBron mentally.
KLove will easily have 20/20
Darko shuts down anything in the paint

Well, after all that..

I say Heat win 129-92

At least LeBron will entertain me! Good luck tonight guys, I guarantee Dorko makes 3 plays that have you laughing out loud

u guys have a nice young core but yea, i expect a comfortable win.

Joel Vs darko will be fun.

We didnt forget

“Did guys around the league enjoy the fact that the Heat didn’t win the championship?”

You bet, Love responded.

“Oh yeah, great amount of joy out of it,” he said. “Plus, for me, they say nice guys, good guys finish last. But Dallas, they just had a slew of great guys and veterans on their team that made for just a great team.

“It wasn’t just two, three, four guys on the team, like Miami I kind of felt it was.

“Around the league, it was kind of a consensus that guys were happy.”

Lets give the league something else to be happy about Kevin, I say a 30 point thrashing on your home floor

Cakeman21 wrote:We didnt forget

“Did guys around the league enjoy the fact that the Heat didn’t win the championship?”

You bet, Love responded.

“Oh yeah, great amount of joy out of it,” he said. “Plus, for me, they say nice guys, good guys finish last. But Dallas, they just had a slew of great guys and veterans on their team that made for just a great team.

“It wasn’t just two, three, four guys on the team, like Miami I kind of felt it was.

“Around the league, it was kind of a consensus that guys were happy.”

Lets give the league something else to be happy about Kevin, I say a 30 point thrashing on your home floor

Yeah, let's go for it, run n' gun and don't hold back! Sorry, no 30 pts/20 rebounds for you tonight, Mr. Love.

Maybe 20 pts/ 15 rebounds though. Box him out, Bosh!

Happy Birthday to Lebron James...he turns 27

I still can't believe we got him lol.



Let's get a huge win for Lebron's birthday!

YounG_A wrote:Happy Birthday to Lebron James...he turns 27

I still can't believe we got him lol.



Let's get a huge win for Lebron's birthday!

I expect a lot of effort from our team just to get him a W. I'm now scared about the Bobcats game though.. We all know Wade and Lebron likes to party.. they're going to be celebrating after tonight up till late night New Years Day.