2013-14 Miami Heat Official Thread: Offseason excitement coming!!!
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Re: 2013-14 Miami Heat Official Thread: Road to 3-peat
Heat-Timberwolves Preview
STATS LLC
Coach Erik Spoelstra doesn't want his Miami Heat to forget about getting bullied around in the paint.
He'd rather they learn from their shortcomings, which could be easier if the NBA's rebounding leader doesn't play for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
With Dwyane Wade's status uncertain, the Heat will try to avoid their first three-game losing streak in almost two years Saturday night when they visit a Timberwolves team that may be without Kevin Love.
While LeBron James has helped mask some of the team's deficiencies in the past, Miami's ongoing struggles on the glass have become difficult to ignore after a 107-87 loss at Chicago on Thursday.
The Heat (14-5) allowed 13 offensive boards while getting outrebounded 49-27 and outscored 44-34 in the paint en route to their second straight loss following a 10-game winning streak.
"We can't just brush this loss aside," Spoelstra said. "We have to really own it, to understand what happened. They just got whatever they wanted, right in the paint, at the rim and if they missed those, then they're just beating us up at the glass."
Spoelstra's club has been outrebounded in each of the last seven games, including by a 95-61 margin in the last two. Miami ranks 29th with a minus-4.6 rebounding margin.
The Heat played without Wade (illness) and big man Chris Andersen (personal reasons) on Thursday. While Andersen is expected to rejoin the team, Wade will likely be a game-time decision when it tries to avoid its first three-game slide since Jan. 10-13, 2012.
Miami is 2/3 this season without the nine-time All-Star, who has scored 31 points or more in four of his last five trips to Minneapolis.
The Timberwolves (9-10) have outrebounded their last two opponents by a 90-80 margin, though Love is uncertain to play after leaving the team following the death of his maternal grandmother.
Love, who has yet to miss a game this season, has averaged a team-best 23.7 points while leading the league with 13.6 rebounds and 18 double-doubles. If he isn't able to return, Minnesota is likely to lean on center Nikola Pekovic, who has averaged 20.5 points and 10.0 rebounds in the last four games.
Kevin Martin should be able to help pick up the scoring since he's averaging 26.7 points over the last three.
The Timberwolves, however, will have to tighten things up defensively after surrendering an average of 109.2 points on 51.6 percent shooting -- 46.7 from 3-point range -- while dropping four of five.
The Heat also have slipped on the defensive end, allowing 107 points in both losses on a combined 50.6 percent shooting -- 17 of 35 from beyond the arc.
Minnesota hasn't played in nearly a week after Wednesday's scheduled game against San Antonio in Mexico City was postponed because of smoky conditions inside the arena. The matchup will be made up in Minnesota at a later date.
It's a much-needed break for a team that ran out of gas and allowed 35 fourth-quarter points in a 113-103 loss at Oklahoma City on Sunday.
"We played tired and lost our confidence with what we're supposed to do," Martin told the league's official website. "We'll learn from that and move on."
Dating to his time with Cleveland, James has been a part of 14 straight wins against the Timberwolves. He's averaged 31.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 6.5 assists in his last eight visits to Minneapolis.
The Heat have won six straight meetings.
Heat-Timberwolves Preview
STATS LLC
Coach Erik Spoelstra doesn't want his Miami Heat to forget about getting bullied around in the paint.
He'd rather they learn from their shortcomings, which could be easier if the NBA's rebounding leader doesn't play for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
With Dwyane Wade's status uncertain, the Heat will try to avoid their first three-game losing streak in almost two years Saturday night when they visit a Timberwolves team that may be without Kevin Love.
While LeBron James has helped mask some of the team's deficiencies in the past, Miami's ongoing struggles on the glass have become difficult to ignore after a 107-87 loss at Chicago on Thursday.
The Heat (14-5) allowed 13 offensive boards while getting outrebounded 49-27 and outscored 44-34 in the paint en route to their second straight loss following a 10-game winning streak.
"We can't just brush this loss aside," Spoelstra said. "We have to really own it, to understand what happened. They just got whatever they wanted, right in the paint, at the rim and if they missed those, then they're just beating us up at the glass."
Spoelstra's club has been outrebounded in each of the last seven games, including by a 95-61 margin in the last two. Miami ranks 29th with a minus-4.6 rebounding margin.
The Heat played without Wade (illness) and big man Chris Andersen (personal reasons) on Thursday. While Andersen is expected to rejoin the team, Wade will likely be a game-time decision when it tries to avoid its first three-game slide since Jan. 10-13, 2012.
Miami is 2/3 this season without the nine-time All-Star, who has scored 31 points or more in four of his last five trips to Minneapolis.
The Timberwolves (9-10) have outrebounded their last two opponents by a 90-80 margin, though Love is uncertain to play after leaving the team following the death of his maternal grandmother.
Love, who has yet to miss a game this season, has averaged a team-best 23.7 points while leading the league with 13.6 rebounds and 18 double-doubles. If he isn't able to return, Minnesota is likely to lean on center Nikola Pekovic, who has averaged 20.5 points and 10.0 rebounds in the last four games.
Kevin Martin should be able to help pick up the scoring since he's averaging 26.7 points over the last three.
The Timberwolves, however, will have to tighten things up defensively after surrendering an average of 109.2 points on 51.6 percent shooting -- 46.7 from 3-point range -- while dropping four of five.
The Heat also have slipped on the defensive end, allowing 107 points in both losses on a combined 50.6 percent shooting -- 17 of 35 from beyond the arc.
Minnesota hasn't played in nearly a week after Wednesday's scheduled game against San Antonio in Mexico City was postponed because of smoky conditions inside the arena. The matchup will be made up in Minnesota at a later date.
It's a much-needed break for a team that ran out of gas and allowed 35 fourth-quarter points in a 113-103 loss at Oklahoma City on Sunday.
"We played tired and lost our confidence with what we're supposed to do," Martin told the league's official website. "We'll learn from that and move on."
Dating to his time with Cleveland, James has been a part of 14 straight wins against the Timberwolves. He's averaged 31.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 6.5 assists in his last eight visits to Minneapolis.
The Heat have won six straight meetings.
Re: 2013-14 Miami Heat Official Thread: Road to 3-peat
LeBron James scores 24 points as Heat breeze past Pistons
Associated Press
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- LeBron James and Miami breezed through one big rematch.
Now the Heat can prepare for another.
James had 24 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, and Miami routed Detroit 110-95 on Sunday, avenging a home loss to the Pistons less than a week ago.
Up next for the Heat is a game at Indiana on Tuesday. The Pacers have the NBA's best record -- and this will be the first meeting between the teams since Miami's seven-game victory in last season's playoffs.
"They're a great team right now, the way they're playing," James said. "We're trying to get healthy, we're trying to get to our full potential. We'll see what we can do."
First, the Heat had a score to settle against a Detroit team that won 107-97 at Miami on Tuesday. Ray Allen scored 18 points for the Heat, who were without Dwyane Wade on Sunday but still shot 56 percent from the field and 11 of 28 from 3-point range. Miami took an early 16-5 lead, and although the Pistons fought back, the Heat went on a 13-2 run in the third quarter to make it 74-57.
"They got us pretty good -- they beat up on us in Miami," James said. "To return the favor, we wanted to play much better against them this time."
Miami looked motivated from the start. Allen's 3-pointer made it 12-2, and although the Pistons steadied themselves momentarily, they could never tie it.
Miami led 59-53 at halftime, and Mario Chalmers and Allen each made 3-pointers during the crucial run at the beginning of the third quarter. The Heat led 91-70 after three.
"We knew that their focus was going to be higher, and you could see that at the beginning of the game and again in the third quarter. They were really able to push the ball off our missed shots and get some easy baskets," Pistons coach Maurice Cheeks said. "We knew what was coming after we beat them up there, but knowing they are going to be coming hard is one thing. Stopping them is something else."
Andre Drummond had 19 points and 14 rebounds for Detroit, which had its four-game winning streak snapped. The Pistons never showed any sign of slowing down Miami, and although they finished with 17 offensive rebounds, they never took full advantage of a potential edge inside.
Detroit had a 21-6 edge in second-chance points, but that could have been far worse for the Heat against Drummond and Greg Monroe.
"I thought we did a better job tonight versus last game of -- when they did get the ball, really wall them up and force them under the basket," Miami's Shane Battier said. "Those guys are pogo sticks, and not much you can do when they're playing above the rim like that. But once they catch it, try to wall them up and keep them pinned to the baseline."
The Pistons entered as NBA leaders in steals per game, and the Heat turned the ball over 10 times in the first half, but Miami took care of the ball better over the final two quarters, and its torrid shooting never really let up.
The Miami bench scored 41 points on 15-of-24 shooting. Roger Mason Jr. had 12 points and Chris Andersen added 10.
James, meanwhile, shot 10 of 15 from the field, although he did have six of Miami's 16 turnovers.
Chris Bosh scored 16 points for the Heat. Brandon Jennings had 19 for the Pistons.
"I didn't think we had enough energy tonight. When you are playing at home, you should have a ton of energy, and we didn't," Detroit's Kyle Singler said. "We went in there and beat them a few days ago, so we knew they were going to want revenge tonight. They are tough when they play like that."
Wade played in Miami's win over Minnesota on Saturday night, but coach Erik Spoelstra likes to rest him in back-to-backs to reduce the wear and tear on his knees. Heat forward Michael Beasley (left hamstring) and Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey (left knee) were also out.
Game notes
Detroit's last five-game winning streak was in December of 2009. ... Miami shot 65 percent in the first half and was 5 of 12 from 3-point range.
LeBron James scores 24 points as Heat breeze past Pistons
Associated Press
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- LeBron James and Miami breezed through one big rematch.
Now the Heat can prepare for another.
James had 24 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, and Miami routed Detroit 110-95 on Sunday, avenging a home loss to the Pistons less than a week ago.
Up next for the Heat is a game at Indiana on Tuesday. The Pacers have the NBA's best record -- and this will be the first meeting between the teams since Miami's seven-game victory in last season's playoffs.
"They're a great team right now, the way they're playing," James said. "We're trying to get healthy, we're trying to get to our full potential. We'll see what we can do."
First, the Heat had a score to settle against a Detroit team that won 107-97 at Miami on Tuesday. Ray Allen scored 18 points for the Heat, who were without Dwyane Wade on Sunday but still shot 56 percent from the field and 11 of 28 from 3-point range. Miami took an early 16-5 lead, and although the Pistons fought back, the Heat went on a 13-2 run in the third quarter to make it 74-57.
"They got us pretty good -- they beat up on us in Miami," James said. "To return the favor, we wanted to play much better against them this time."
Miami looked motivated from the start. Allen's 3-pointer made it 12-2, and although the Pistons steadied themselves momentarily, they could never tie it.
Miami led 59-53 at halftime, and Mario Chalmers and Allen each made 3-pointers during the crucial run at the beginning of the third quarter. The Heat led 91-70 after three.
"We knew that their focus was going to be higher, and you could see that at the beginning of the game and again in the third quarter. They were really able to push the ball off our missed shots and get some easy baskets," Pistons coach Maurice Cheeks said. "We knew what was coming after we beat them up there, but knowing they are going to be coming hard is one thing. Stopping them is something else."
Andre Drummond had 19 points and 14 rebounds for Detroit, which had its four-game winning streak snapped. The Pistons never showed any sign of slowing down Miami, and although they finished with 17 offensive rebounds, they never took full advantage of a potential edge inside.
Detroit had a 21-6 edge in second-chance points, but that could have been far worse for the Heat against Drummond and Greg Monroe.
"I thought we did a better job tonight versus last game of -- when they did get the ball, really wall them up and force them under the basket," Miami's Shane Battier said. "Those guys are pogo sticks, and not much you can do when they're playing above the rim like that. But once they catch it, try to wall them up and keep them pinned to the baseline."
The Pistons entered as NBA leaders in steals per game, and the Heat turned the ball over 10 times in the first half, but Miami took care of the ball better over the final two quarters, and its torrid shooting never really let up.
The Miami bench scored 41 points on 15-of-24 shooting. Roger Mason Jr. had 12 points and Chris Andersen added 10.
James, meanwhile, shot 10 of 15 from the field, although he did have six of Miami's 16 turnovers.
Chris Bosh scored 16 points for the Heat. Brandon Jennings had 19 for the Pistons.
"I didn't think we had enough energy tonight. When you are playing at home, you should have a ton of energy, and we didn't," Detroit's Kyle Singler said. "We went in there and beat them a few days ago, so we knew they were going to want revenge tonight. They are tough when they play like that."
Wade played in Miami's win over Minnesota on Saturday night, but coach Erik Spoelstra likes to rest him in back-to-backs to reduce the wear and tear on his knees. Heat forward Michael Beasley (left hamstring) and Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey (left knee) were also out.
Game notes
Detroit's last five-game winning streak was in December of 2009. ... Miami shot 65 percent in the first half and was 5 of 12 from 3-point range.
Re: 2013-14 Miami Heat Official Thread: Road to 3-peat
you been watching this team for 4 years now dude
Expect Miami to be down double digits in this game early after coming out with little to no energy
you been watching this team for 4 years now dude
Expect Miami to be down double digits in this game early after coming out with little to no energy
Re: 2013-14 Miami Heat Official Thread: Road to 3-peat
True lmaooo
Unless they want to split games losing in Indy then winning in Miami lmaoooo
These niggas need to win both games
you been watching this team for 4 years now dude
Expect Miami to be down double digits in this game early after coming out with little to no energy
True lmaooo
Unless they want to split games losing in Indy then winning in Miami lmaoooo
These niggas need to win both games
Re: 2013-14 Miami Heat Official Thread: Road to 3-peat
Heat-Pacers Preview
STATS LLC
Two consecutive postseason matchups -- one of them a back-and-forth, seven-game series -- are enough to establish a solid NBA rivalry.
After they pushed last season's conference finals to a decisive Game 7, the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat have again risen above the pack in the East.
The two teams meet for the first time since that series Tuesday night in Indianapolis in a possible preview of what's to come during the playoffs.
"They're a great team right now, the way they're playing," Heat forward LeBron James said of the Pacers. "We're trying to get healthy, we're trying to get to our full potential. We'll see what we can do."
Miami and Indiana alternated victories throughout the East finals in the spring, with the Heat prevailing 99-76 at home in the finale to reach their third straight NBA finals. Miami beat Indiana 4-2 in the conference semifinals the year before.
The Pacers (18-3) have raced to the league's best record this season and should be even more motivated for this matchup coming off their worst performance of 2013-14 in a 118-94 loss at Oklahoma City on Sunday.
Indiana, closing out a tough five-game road trip, allowed the Thunder to shoot 61.0 percent from the field. It was by far the highest this season given up by the Pacers, who came in having allowed only two opponents to crack 50 percent.
It was also the most points they'd allowed since giving up the same number in a loss to the Heat on Jan. 4, 2012.
Indiana still finished its trip at 3-2, including victories over West powers San Antonio and the Los Angeles Clippers.
"We did well this trip," forward Paul George said. "A lot of stuff to take away and things we can nit-pick and take from the teams that we lost to and the teams we played this trip. I think we played well this trip."
The Pacers should be glad to be returning home, where they are 9-0 and surrendering just 81.8 points per game -- even better than their league-leading 89.5 allowed overall.
All of those victories, however, have come against teams with .500 records or worse, so Miami (16-5) undoubtedly poses the biggest challenge for the Pacers at home thus far.
The Heat lead the conference with 103.5 points per game, while James is shooting a career-best 59.4 percent from the field.
Miami's offense could get a boost with the return of Dwyane Wade, who has sat out three of the last four games to protect his ailing knees.
Wade shot 3 of 11 and scored only 10 points the last time Miami played in Indiana -- a 91-77 loss in Game 6 of the conference finals -- but has averaged 24.6 points in his career at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
With Wade hampered of late, Ray Allen has seen his role increase. Allen has averaged 12.5 points in the last four games, shooting 53.1 percent from the field.
When asked about the rivalry and a potential race for the top spot in the East, James refused to raise the stakes for this game after Miami's 110-95 win over Detroit on Sunday.
"I don't get too much involved in regular-season matchups, especially early and in December. We're looking forward to the opportunity to play them on Tuesday, but it's not like it's a statement game for us."
The Heat and Pacers meet again on Dec. 18 in Miami, but do not play each other again until March 26.
Heat-Pacers Preview
STATS LLC
Two consecutive postseason matchups -- one of them a back-and-forth, seven-game series -- are enough to establish a solid NBA rivalry.
After they pushed last season's conference finals to a decisive Game 7, the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat have again risen above the pack in the East.
The two teams meet for the first time since that series Tuesday night in Indianapolis in a possible preview of what's to come during the playoffs.
"They're a great team right now, the way they're playing," Heat forward LeBron James said of the Pacers. "We're trying to get healthy, we're trying to get to our full potential. We'll see what we can do."
Miami and Indiana alternated victories throughout the East finals in the spring, with the Heat prevailing 99-76 at home in the finale to reach their third straight NBA finals. Miami beat Indiana 4-2 in the conference semifinals the year before.
The Pacers (18-3) have raced to the league's best record this season and should be even more motivated for this matchup coming off their worst performance of 2013-14 in a 118-94 loss at Oklahoma City on Sunday.
Indiana, closing out a tough five-game road trip, allowed the Thunder to shoot 61.0 percent from the field. It was by far the highest this season given up by the Pacers, who came in having allowed only two opponents to crack 50 percent.
It was also the most points they'd allowed since giving up the same number in a loss to the Heat on Jan. 4, 2012.
Indiana still finished its trip at 3-2, including victories over West powers San Antonio and the Los Angeles Clippers.
"We did well this trip," forward Paul George said. "A lot of stuff to take away and things we can nit-pick and take from the teams that we lost to and the teams we played this trip. I think we played well this trip."
The Pacers should be glad to be returning home, where they are 9-0 and surrendering just 81.8 points per game -- even better than their league-leading 89.5 allowed overall.
All of those victories, however, have come against teams with .500 records or worse, so Miami (16-5) undoubtedly poses the biggest challenge for the Pacers at home thus far.
The Heat lead the conference with 103.5 points per game, while James is shooting a career-best 59.4 percent from the field.
Miami's offense could get a boost with the return of Dwyane Wade, who has sat out three of the last four games to protect his ailing knees.
Wade shot 3 of 11 and scored only 10 points the last time Miami played in Indiana -- a 91-77 loss in Game 6 of the conference finals -- but has averaged 24.6 points in his career at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
With Wade hampered of late, Ray Allen has seen his role increase. Allen has averaged 12.5 points in the last four games, shooting 53.1 percent from the field.
When asked about the rivalry and a potential race for the top spot in the East, James refused to raise the stakes for this game after Miami's 110-95 win over Detroit on Sunday.
"I don't get too much involved in regular-season matchups, especially early and in December. We're looking forward to the opportunity to play them on Tuesday, but it's not like it's a statement game for us."
The Heat and Pacers meet again on Dec. 18 in Miami, but do not play each other again until March 26.
Knicks thread. lol
Re: 2013-14 Miami Heat Official Thread: Road to 3-peat
Aw yeah lets get into it
Aw yeah lets get into it
Re: 2013-14 Miami Heat Official Thread: Road to 3-peat
In that case it might be worth deleting
In that case it might be worth deleting
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Re: 2013-14 Miami Heat Official Thread: Road to 3-peat
I am tempted to want to see Oden out there asap.. Because there are two schools of thoughts 1- preserve him as much as possible for the playoffs.. 2- Or do what I am leaning towards, that is play him early this way if he gets injured, is to slow, needs adjustments, then there is time via trades or lineup rotation, to make changes..
By saving him for the playoffs, we are almost putting all our eggs in a basket that may or maynot be there, and if not, it would be way too late to make any changes..
I am tempted to want to see Oden out there asap.. Because there are two schools of thoughts 1- preserve him as much as possible for the playoffs.. 2- Or do what I am leaning towards, that is play him early this way if he gets injured, is to slow, needs adjustments, then there is time via trades or lineup rotation, to make changes..
By saving him for the playoffs, we are almost putting all our eggs in a basket that may or maynot be there, and if not, it would be way too late to make any changes..
Re: 2013-14 Miami Heat Official Thread: Road to 3-peat
I'm just now getting home turning on the game.
Who was sticking Paul George in the 1st Qtr?
I'm just now getting home turning on the game.
Who was sticking Paul George in the 1st Qtr?
Re: 2013-14 Miami Heat Official Thread: Road to 3-peat
Thats why I say what I used to say about Jordan , tell me your favorite player and tell me how many times Bron destroyed them, in big games.
Thats why I say what I used to say about Jordan , tell me your favorite player and tell me how many times Bron destroyed them, in big games.
Re: 2013-14 Miami Heat Official Thread: Road to 3-peat
hmm hibbert getting the benefit of some calls where he initiates contact.....got to see how this plays out
hmm hibbert getting the benefit of some calls where he initiates contact.....got to see how this plays out
Re: 2013-14 Miami Heat Official Thread: Road to 3-peat
For the record, the Indiana Pacers team are a bunch of bitches. They consistently try to use dirty tactics to win as opposed to actually playing the game. David West in particular. I wish them nothing but the worst. A pox on the Indiana Pacers.
That is all.
For the record, the Indiana Pacers team are a bunch of bitches. They consistently try to use dirty tactics to win as opposed to actually playing the game. David West in particular. I wish them nothing but the worst. A pox on the Indiana Pacers.
That is all.
Re: 2013-14 Miami Heat Official Thread: Road to 3-peat
Thats their game, and what makes them effective, everything else including George can be neutralized but Hibbert is a force that you just have to deal with. .
Thats their game, and what makes them effective, everything else including George can be neutralized but Hibbert is a force that you just have to deal with. .
Re: 2013-14 Miami Heat Official Thread: Road to 3-peat
Against Miami, a team that gets a lot of "superstar" calls, yeah the FT line means a lot.
Against Miami, a team that gets a lot of "superstar" calls, yeah the FT line means a lot.
