Miami Heat vs New Jersey Nets SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 2012 7:30

[Dr Cracker]

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Heat-Nets Preview
Even if they don't have to face LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, the New Jersey Nets still might not be able to snap their losing streak against the Miami Heat.
James and Wade could again be out of the lineup when the visiting Heat try for an eighth consecutive victory over the Nets on Saturday night.
With James sidelined by a sore ankle and Wade sitting for the second straight game with a foot injury, Miami (7-1) rode the strong play of Chris Bosh and Mario Chalmers to a 116-109 triple-overtime victory at Atlanta on Thursday.
Bosh, who hit a tying 3-pointer at the end of regulation, finished with 33 points and 14 rebounds while Chalmers added 29, eight assists and seven boards as the Heat avenged their only defeat of the season.
Udonis Haslem had 14 points with 11 boards and seldom-used rookie Terrel Harris added 14 rebounds.
"I hope the guys realize it doesn't matter who's in the uniform, it's the standard of play," forward Shane Battier said.
The Heat might need to live up to those high standards one more night without James and Wade.
James, the NBA's leading scorer at 29.9 points per contest who is also averaging 7.7 rebounds and 7.4 assists, took part in Thursday's pregame warmups but his status is uncertain with an injury he suffered during a 118-83 rout of Indiana on Wednesday.
"He's walking around and hopefully he'll be able to play soon," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "Whether that will be Saturday, I don't know."
Wade (18.8 ppg) is being rested as more of a precaution because of the condensed schedule. Miami has two days off after this contest.
"He's making progress with it, but we really want to take care of this before it's something that can linger," Spoelstra said.
Bosh has averaged 23.8 points in the last six contests after totaling 22 in the first two games of the season. Chalmers (12.0 ppg) had scored in double figures three times in the first seven games before making 10 of 21 shots at Atlanta.
"Coach said I had to be aggressive," Chalmers said.
He'll get the opportunity to build on that performance as the Heat look to continue their dominance over the Nets (2-6), who snapped a six-game skid with a 97-85 win at Toronto on Friday.
Miami has held New Jersey to 85.7 points on 38.3 percent shooting during its seven-game series winning streak that dates to a Nets' 96-88 home win March 20, 2009.
New Jersey's Deron Williams, who averaged 20.0 points on 51.1 percent shooting despite going 1 for 11 from 3-point range in three games versus Miami in 2010-11, scored 24 points at Toronto after missing Wednesday's loss to Boston with sore ribs.
Anthony Morrow also scored 24 and went 6 of 10 from beyond the arc as the Nets made 15 of their 31 3-point attempts for their first victory since a 90-84 season-opening win at Washington on Dec. 26.
"We wanted to smile," coach Avery Johnson said. "For five or so games we've been having a frown on our face and we wanted to smile after a game."
New Jersey has lost four in a row and eight of nine at home to Miami.

NBA Atlanta HAwks Vs Miami Heat Game Recap 01/02/2012
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLiJ0Xrh1gQ[/youtube]

[WD]

LOOK forward 2 Seeing THIS GAME WITHOUT LBJ/Wade

[Heat fan06]

Wonder if lebron or wade play...

[Chosen01]

Might as well sit them if they aren't 100%, it's the Nets.

[Pimpwerx]

Hope Wade and Bron sit if they're not 100%. ATL was supposed to be a loss, so we can actually afford to drop this game. I know that seems less likely after last game, but I'm just preparing myself for a potentially bad outcome. What's most-important is having Wade and Bron healthy.

Oh yeah, I also want Cole to have a nice bounce-back game. I feel that eventhough he's shot a good average on the season (especially for a rookie), he's had two games now with too many turnovers. Some sloppy passing and overly ambitious driving in the lane is what I want him to remedy. If he can focus on facilitating more this game, he might find the lanes open up for him to go get those highlights. Let's go Heat! PEACE.

[Dr Cracker]

IraHeatBeat Ira Winderman
Spoelstra indicates that both Wade and LeBron should be available to play. Both said at shootaround they want to play.
IraHeatBeat Ira Winderman
Would be surprised if both Wade and James aren't on the court tonight. Even Spoelstra backed off the erring on the side of caution talk.

[GameTime_3]

I would sit Wade for another game. LeBron bounced back and a sprain doesn't take much to heal from. Wade on the other hand has looked terrible and his foot looks to be giving him trouble. This is a long season, if we can rest one the big 3, we should. I know if Wade or LeBron play, Spo will play them regular minutes(38) instead of trying to limit them, knowing the season ahead.

[mirrornick]

I'd sit them both down and let Bosh up his stats. That will give him so much confidence by being #1 Option. He might destroy the nets all by himself.

[This IsMy House]

Really hope they sit Wade and LeBron tonight. The team showed they can handle their own while the stars rest. NJ isn't a tough team to beat overall. Well need Wade and LeBron near 100% for the west coast road trip.

[YounG_A]

I think they should suit up tonight but only put them in if we need them, like when Miami is in a scoring drought.

[mirrornick]

I think they should suit up tonight but only put them in if we need them, like when Miami is in a scoring drought.

Nah, I doubt they will lose to the nets who are playing back to back.

Bosh should get 30/15/5 if bron and wade sits out.

[BoshtimusPrime]

VS

Heat should win regardless whether or not LBJ/Wade play. It sounds like at least one of them will though. Hopefully it's LeBron since I have him in fan ball and will likely lose my matchup if he doesn't play tonight.

[broke]

play them on limited mins if they really want some game time.

[Miamis3rdRing]

Really hope they sit Wade and LeBron tonight. The team showed they can handle their own while the stars rest. NJ isn't a tough team to beat overall. Well need Wade and LeBron near 100% for the west coast road trip.

This.

LeBron may be good to go since he was able to play (And play well) after getting injured against Indiana.

I hope this is the 3rd consecutive game that Pittman gets playing time. He looked surprisingly good against the Hawks.

[This IsMy House]

Really hope they sit Wade and LeBron tonight. The team showed they can handle their own while the stars rest. NJ isn't a tough team to beat overall. Well need Wade and LeBron near 100% for the west coast road trip.

This.

LeBron may be good to go since he was able to play (And play well) after getting injured against Indiana.

I hope this is the 3rd consecutive game that Pittman gets playing time. He looked surprisingly good against the Hawks.

But right after the injury isn't the hard part. Once he stopped running and went on the plane ride it could've got a lot worse. No reason to risk making it worse this early into a a potential amazing season. Bosh should be able to hold his own against NJ. Plus D-WIll can't keep up with Cole at all. We shouldn't really need LeBron and Wade, if they play its just a 30 point blow out like Indy and Charlotte. But I would love to see LeBron against Stevenson with his new offensive assault he's been doing this year. I hate that guy.

[624]

Plus D-WIll can't keep up with Cole at all.

Uh

[mirrornick]

Plus D-WIll can't keep up with Cole at all.

Uh

Yeah More like No one can keep up with Dwill.

[This IsMy House]

Plus D-WIll can't keep up with Cole at all.

Uh

Yeah More like No one can keep up with Dwill.

In terms of Speed? I think Cole is faster than D-Will.

[mirrornick]

In terms of Speed? I think Cole is faster than D-Will

Well Dwill has one of the best crossovers/ball handling in the league.
Guy might not be the best PG this year because of the situation he is put in right now. Especially how Lopez got injured ( Their second best player ).

But the dude can straight out beat anyone in this league 1 on 1. That's why all coaches play zone or double team him before he can get to the basket.

[624]

If they were running a 100m dash then maybe you'd have an argument.


There isn't going to be any advantage for the Heat at the PG position in this game. They will at every other position, but saying Cole is too much for Deron is a huge insult.