Miami @ Denver, Friday Jan 13th, 8:30 MT/10:30 ET, *ESPN*

[Yoga]

@

[Yoga]

Big game. Gallo, Rudy, Mozgov and Koufos need to step up. Go Denver!

[Maf]

Hope Nene stops playing like piece of crap... I just saw the game with NOH (I blind-myself to see all other results that day, didn't know the result) so I'm very pissed off and only positive was Rudy. And with NJN, again, the best was Rudy. Stop hating him, guys. 'Lalo finally found his three point shot and Gallo as well. It's gonna be tough. Don't expect HATE to lose three in a row. But I keep my thumbs up!

[Ice32]

This game is huge for Denver and the Heat wont want to lose 3 in a row. Nene needs to dominate inside and hopefully Gallo and Ty are good to play. Afflalo needs to play good D on Wade whilst making shots on the other end.

I expect Brewer to get minutes vs Wade/LBJ and I hope he still has his shooting touch. That corner 3 seems to be his hot spot and he's getting a lot of transition baskets just from running.

If Nuggets can rebound, defend the three, and hit their shots, they have a chance. Nuggets in a close one.

[Yoga]

If Nuggets can rebound, defend the three, and hit their shots, they have a chance. Nuggets in a close one.

Agree, I think Denver will win by about 4 points. Gallo sprained his ankle last night, hopefully he will be 100% for tomorrow night.

[KAVK]

Miranda will be our HOT CHICK CHARM of this Game Thread.Win or Lose we need to go all out to test our might. Usually team plays surprisingly good against established high profile teams.

Hope Gallo and Ty are in a decent shape.

[Ice32]

Some stats and numbers according to nba.com Stats Cube:

45% of LeBron's shots are jumpers outside the key where he makes 41% of them (under the three point line), and 42% of his total shots are in the paint (post ups, layups, dunks).

45% of Wades total shots are jumpers around the key where he only makes 33% of them. 40% of his total shots are in the paint.

LeBron and Wade are yet to make a three pointer this season, they are a combined 0-8. Mario Chalmers, James Jones and Shane Battier are the only outside threats, and they are a combined 44-104 = 42%.

So we need to force LBJ and Wade into a outside jump shooting contest and not allow them to post up or drive into the key. Mozzy, Koufos, Birdman and Nene are going to have to make it tough in the key - foul hard, put hands up, block shots.

We need Gallo, Afflalo, Brewer and Rudy to prevent LeBron and Wade from penetrating and either scoring or passing. Need to be active on D, help each other out, communicate, take charges, hustle.

Miami do turn it over 18 times a game, so Denver need to take advantage of that and look for leak out passes and easy transition baskets. Rudy and Brewer will be key to this win. Our last 3 games, Denver is 27/57 from down town = 47%, we need that to continue. Afflalo and Ty need to look for their shots early and be active on offense.

Gallo is hot averaging 23 ppg over his last 4 games, shooting 57% from the field and 45% from deep, we need him to be aggressive early and get LBJ into foul trouble.

If we rebound the ball, defend the perimeter and pass the ball, Denver can keep it close and hopefully LBJ will choke in the 4th.

[Ice32]

We also need Brewer to continue his hot shooting, as Miami will leave him open. His last 3 games look like:

Mins - 36
FGs - 14/19
3PTs - 4/4
FTs - 3/4
PTS - 35

He's hitting that corner three well, and when he runs the floor, he either scores on layups, gets alley-oop dunks or gets fouled. 99% of his baskets are created from steals and deflections, back door cuts/lobs and shot fakes and drives.

His advantage on defense is that he is 6'9, long and is excellent at drawing charges. As long as he doesn't gamble on steals and keeps his feet moving, he can disrupt Wade and LeBron and frustrate them into taking bad shots. If he gets posted up, Denver need to help him out.

[Doomsta]

cool stat i took from the heat board

Next up is Denver. 9 straight losses there, and Wade/Haslem have never won in that city.

[fraanciiscoo]

Will Ty Lawson play??

[Ice32]

Ty and Gallo are good to go. Im wondering how effective Rudy will be who has a bad right achilles.

GK has said that Brewer will get 15-20 minutes for defense. If he can stay in front of Wade and LBJ and score some points, thats all we need from him.

Denver need a huge game from Nene, get him in the post and draw fouls. Get Bosh out early and hopefully LBJ can get into early foul trouble to.

[KAVK]

MIA is going to rely on their zone defense more than usual tonight. We need to continue hit our outside shots in this one. Our running and ball movement hopefully to stay effective to wear them down. There could not be a better situation than this to face one of the league's best team on 3rd game in 4 nights after a cruel OT loss.

[youngthegiant]

you can just feel the energy. the bench is getting up every play

[clockwork]

the refs are out to screw us. those were awfully quick 2, 3 second defensives..

[youngthegiant]

yeah those refs are looking suspect

[clockwork]

every call is going their way except when nene had to complain that he got cut..

[youngthegiant]

we are better without miller!!!!!! we don't have to go small. we shouldn't have to. miller steps in and this turns into a half-court game and he sucks out the whole energy of the arena. he needs to go.

[clockwork]

get mozzy in there to protect the paint, 0 fouls so far.

[hustlenflow]

Ball needs to run through Gallo a bit more, and does Lawson not look to score? Seems he should be more aggressive especially given the matchups.

[clockwork]

this is flat out horse ****.