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Once again, we're grossly under muscled, compared to our opponent. Schröder is getting pushed away from the basket by the defense. Their little hand checks are hugely effective against his 160lbs.

Bebe has maybe one rebound and was stuffed going up for a dunk, resulting in a jump ball.

The kiddies appear more and more underweight for the NBA. Their talent is unmistakeable, however, so we're watching minor league stars who are promising for the future.

Schröder with his 2nd steal. Gladyr with a 3 on his 1st shot, for those who have been asking about him.

All our highlights are Mr. Schröder. His defense is very intriguing. Steve Smith is loving himself some Dennis Schröder.

Bebe is getting killed inside: dribblers are just going up at him for layups, which he cannot stop. Kid's got arms but no bulk and positions himself poorly. Doesn't appear he's ever been told where to be on defense.

1st qtr over. We have 4 rebounds. When we got tired of Nogueira being pushed out of the way, we put Muscala in a Center. I don't believe he got a rebound.

Did I mention we're weak?

Interviewing with Ferry. He just said what I hoped he'd say: we have to get a good Center - can't just put some tall guy in - but the goal is to "put someone in there beside him."

Schröder had words for Nogueira earlier in the 1st qtr - twice - about Bebe not rotating properly on PNRs. Now, he's working it with Scott, instead. Scott is shooting us back into the game.

Muscala, in 10 minutes of play, has only 1 rebound (offensive) but just got his 2nd block: a nice, in-your-face type of block.

We're in the lead by one. Defense cannot handle Schröder, who has adjusted to the physical defense by penetrating every time they crowd him. Our offense is still poor but our team defense is swarming. So, right now, we're winning by playing good team defense and then letting Schröder work the ball in for an assist.

End of the 1st half, we're up 29-28.

Criminy, they just showed the highlights for us. ALL of them were Schroder. Looking back at my posts, I see the same thing but I figured I was just focusing on him too much. Kid's been special, both on offense and defense. Plus, he has a presence. REALLY impressive talent and personality.

Schroder with a steal in the open court after scoring on a layup, resulting in another layup. Their PG is frustrated; he's having trouble dribbling with Schroder in front of him.

MIA defense is doubling Schroder on inbounds plays now.

Jenkins in on the act now. With the court now spread out (as MIA focuses on Schroder), he dribble-drives through the loose defense for a layup. Back on the defensive side, he forces a turnover with his wingspan.

We're up 37-32.

Well, now, Bebe with his 3rd block. Oops, ref called it a foul. Not certain how.

Nogueira moves like a SF. On the open court, this is an impressive sight but, on defense, it's just sad. Guy has no idea how to play Center.

Muscala with a nice midrange jumper. He looks good with that shot.

Jenkins is running the offense now, with Mack in and Schroder out. He's looking good doing it, too. It was his penetration-fake that open the defense for Muscala.

We've adjusted and are dominating MIA. Still, with MIA's superior strength, we're only winning by 7, 46-39.

ANOTHER nice midrange shot by Muscala. He has a great arch on his shot - very hard to block.

Interesting subplot: Mack's been fighting Schroder for the ball. Both want to handle the point. Finally, Mack beats Schroder to the inlet pass (defense still focusing on Schroder). He dribbles out the clock and take a tough 3pter at the buzzer, but misses. Poor showing.

End of the 3rd qtr, ATL up by 3, 52-49.

Beginning of the 4th, coach decides to let Mack run the point with Schroder at 2.

Nogueira back in at Center; Muscala moves over to PF. Makes sense, since he was too slow to defend their Center. [/sarcasm] If anybody wants to know Muscala's Achilles, it's a huge lack of lateral quickness. His man keeps putting the ball on the floor and going right past him. Maybe I'm wrong and he's just standing up too high but it it looks like a lack of quickness.

With the MIA now having the lead 61-57, we put in Jenkins and take the ball away from Mack (who really stunk at PG).

Schroder back in at PG.

Mack looked like he was auditioning for a job, trying to go one-on-5 against the defense.

.

Nogueira's impressive mobility just displayed: Jenkins misses a layup (good defense) but Bebe outruns the defense and cleans up the rebound, following with a terrific dunk.

Hawks up by one, 68-67. All after Schroder started running the offense again.