03.03.11 - Miami Heat vs. Orlando Magic - 8 p.m. ET (TNT)

[DWadeno3]

PG Mario Chalmers


SG Dwyane Wade


SF LeBron James


PF Chris Bosh


C Erick Dampier


vs.



PG Jameer Nelson


SG Jason Richardson


SF Hedo Turkoglu


PF Brandon Bass


Dwight Howard


Where? Right here:



The last time these clubs met, LeBron James went off for an NBA high 51 points. Despite his outstanding performance, the Heat struggled to close the game out although they had a 20-point cushion in the 3rd quarter. Nonetheless, Miami ended up winning the game and gaining a 2-1 lead in the season series. So tonight, we hope for a better halfcourt execution than in matches before to finally win a tiebreaker against an elite team in the east. In order to accomplish this task, Riles brought some help to the 305, veteran point guard Mike Bibby:



Let's hope his debut will be a successful one. Let's go Heat!

[YamiRain]

Sprinkle my good luck in the GT.

[Illmatic_Heat]

20+ games left in phase 2. I'm ReFOCUSED! No prisoners, I have no friends when at WAR besides my Soldiers. - Lebron

[Noodle Arm]

We MUST close out on the shooters. I went to the Magic/Knicks game on Tues., and it was eye opening seeing how they get their shooters open. I say don't double team Dwight all that much and focus on the perimeter and crash the boards whenever a shot goes up. Easier said then done, I know...but let Dwight get his and shut down everybody else. Eh...but what do I know

[Tim_Hardawayy]

I'm still in shock over you-know-who. I don't care, call me a hater, but in the same way that Wade used to make me feel like "WE WILL WIN" in the clutch, Joel Anthony has the exact opposite effect when he's on the court.

Until he's out of the picture, I don't know how this team will do. I want to believe in them, I really do. And as much as people say we don't execute late in games, its a hell of a lot harder to execute when you're only playing with 4 players on the court. No other team in the league plays with a player like that in the closing moments, and at least when the Spurs had Bowen, he was a pretty good 3-point shooter.

[Vertical Limit]

Sad how Chalmers looks in better shape on that Kentucky picture than he does as a professional.

[Miamis3rdRing]

Either we completely suck a** tonight, or MAYBE, JUST MAYBE we get a big win and begin to turn the season around in terms of wins against the 'good teams'.

Dwight Howard has been on a tear lately, I see him going off and putting Joel in a couple of Sports Center highlights. As long as we shut down, or limit the rest of the team I like our chances.

Can't wait for the debut of Bibby. Finally a PG I can feel comfortable with out there.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Magloire out there.

Use your head Spo...Joel in, scoring out. Joel in, rebounding out.

[Tim_Hardawayy]

Btw, my own personal doom and gloom has almost everything to do with Anthony. The last game didn't knock my faith in any of our big 3 or the other surrounding pieces.

And as far as the rest of the sentiment on this board, if we go on to win 3 in a row the perception of this team could change DRASTICALLY. Because the next 3 are against the Magic, Spurs and Bulls.

Let's go Heat... and let's not suck. And if you're a Magic fan you probably have a small penis (no offense but new board tradition).

[dolphinatik]

they dont count Orlando as an elite team but its always a good test. I dont know what it is why we have thier number but we do. Both times we beat them were practically blowouts. I always blame Stan for their loses because they dont stick to their game and play like garbage usually sitting Howard.

I want to see what their best is and how we adjust and respond. Great game to practice getting into championship form.

[Joao Saraiva]

It's time to erase from our memorys that humilliation against NY. And the one vs the Bulls. LET'S NOT SUCK (AGAIN). It's time to show the Heat are contenders...

I only won't regret defeat if Spo is fired cause of it.

[jmbflame21]

*Key to the game!!!!!


CLOSE OUT ON THE THREE POINT SHOOTERS!

[Zasterror]

Team basketball guys. No unneeded heroics, just play the game. Ball must touch each player

[bostonHEATparty]

IMO besides the Celtic team defense. Joel Anthony plays D12 better than most defenders. Z can't keep up, and Damp is too slow. Joel will have to contain Dwight tonight and if that means giving him 22 and 15, ill take it.

[Lord Hades]

Say what you will, I'm hoping for an errant Dwight elbow to knock Joel goofy, causing him to stumble as he recovers, eventually tripping over his own feet and right into a high ankle sprain. Knowing Dwight's luck with the refs, he gets called for a flagrant and we get an extended Joel absence. This is win/win for us.

Also, Let's Go Heat!

[TMIMITW]

We will be fine, Our TV games have not been the best but we will win today

[dflash3]

No stupidity during the game please. Really wish the Heat would cut down on the dumb turnovers, threes, unnecessary dribbling, over helping, etc. But, why would it change now? Just hope the Heat play some solid defense and win.

[jmbflame21]

Last game against Orlando, Dwight played the entire game. Z played 3 min and was pulled because he obviously is way too slow.

Then Joel comes in....

8:30 Joel Anthony enters the game for Zydrunas Ilgauskas
8:17 Joel Anthony offensive foul (Jason Richardson draws the foul)
8:17 Joel Anthony turnover

Joel played most of the first quarter and of course did nothing but foul and let Dwight score on him.

Dampier finally checked in towards the end of the first with less than 2 min left.

Dampier played the entire 2nd quarter in which the Heat outscored the Magic 25-19, Dwight with only 6 points in the quarter, while Dampier himself scored 4 (also missed 3 free throws lol)

Dampier's great play in the 2nd quarter was rewarded with him starting the 3rd quarter in place of Z.

Dampier played the first 6:40 of the 3rd holding Dwight to NO POINTS.

Joel entered for Dampier and did a decent job on Howard the remaining 5:20 of the quarter, in which Howard only scored 1 point, while Joel scored 2.

After 3 quarters the Heat lead 79-63.

Spo decides to keep our friend Joel in until the 8:33 mark in the 4th quarter with the Heat lead at 21 86-65

Dampier comes in and does a great job until he is taken out at the 3:51 mark and is replaced by Joel with the lead steady at 17......

After Joel reenters the game the Magic immediately go on a 11-0 run to cut the lead to just 6.

The Magic go on to score 23 points in the final 3:51 all of which Joel was in the game, including a 10-2 rebound advantage for the Magic, 5 of them offensive.

Heat are outscored 23-10 in the final 3:51...but

Heat still win 104-100.


Damn you Joel Anthony.

[Tim_Hardawayy]

I mean on the one hand, no, its not all Joel's fault. On the other hand, he is a 10th-11th man at best, and both Z and Damp are clearly better basketball players, situation be damned. Until one of those two is getting absolutely torched, Joel shouldn't see playing time. He needs to be our "in case of emergency" center, not our go-to crunchtime center.

[salqaddoumi]

Can we try to get Dwightin foul trouble for once? He was constantly in foul trouble against us last season and it limited his effectiveness but he's killed us this season and played big minutes. We need to just constantly drive at him aggresively, he's bound to pick up two in the first quarter.

IMO besides the Celtic team defense. Joel Anthony plays D12 better than most defenders. Z can't keep up, and Damp is too slow. Joel will have to contain Dwight tonight and if that means giving him 22 and 15, ill take it.

Is this a joke? Joel has been our absolute worst Dwight defender, he's way too small. JO did a great job at it last year, Damp has some decent stretches against Dwight, I can't remember how Mags did, Z always gets murdered by him.

[Heat_team02]

Coach said Bibby should see some playing time tonight.