Seattle Sounders Take Advantage of Weakened Galaxy Squad

The Seattle Sounders FC won their third consecutive match on May 2, defeating the Los Angeles Galaxy 2-0. For the Sounders, it was their first win against the defending champions in almost three years. With the win, the Sounders move up to the third spot in the MLS Western Conference rankings, trailing the first place San Jose Earthquakes by six points.

Seattle soccer fans were a little worried about Mauro Rosales - after an ankle injury forced him to sit out the second half of the Sounders' April 28 match against the Chicago Fire, but the veteran midfielder suited up on Wednesday. Rosales' presence on the field paid dividends against the Galaxy. He set up Seattle's first goal of the game, crossing the ball to Eddie Johnson, who tipped it in past Galaxy goalkeeper Bill Gaudette.

Sounders forward Freddy Montero scored his first goal of the season in the 48^th minute, firing a shot from the top of the box.

"It was good to get a win," Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid told reporters after the game. "It was good for us because sometimes you have a team that you call your, 'Boogey team' - a team that sort of gives you a problem and for some reason you can't seem to jump over them. Like Chicago can't seem to get past us right now. LA was that team for us a little bit, but we always felt we had confidence that we could beat them and today it showed."

Defensively, the Sounders put on a solid performance against the Galaxy, with goalkeeper Michael Gspurning barely getting tested throughout the game. The Galaxy actually controlled the ball a bit better than the Sounders, but they just couldn't get the ball past Seattle's defenders.

Currently with a 5-1-1 record, the Sounders are starting to establish themselves as one of the top teams in the MLS, and I expect more of the same in the future. They'll now get two days off, before hosting the struggling Philadelphia Union at CenturyLink Field on May 5.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
SoundersFC.com, "Sounders Solve Galaxy Puzzle"

Miami Heat Ready for Game 3 Against Shorthanded Knicks

The Miami Heat have dominated the first two games of their first round series against the New York Knicks, and they'll look for another victory when the rival teams meet on May 3.

To make things even better for the Heat, Amare Stoudemire won't be able to suit up for Game 3, due to a hand injury. Frustrated with the way things have gone so far in the series, Stoudemire punched the glass casing covering a fire extinguisher on his way to the locker room after Game 2, picking up some pretty nasty cuts in the process. He'll definitely be missed by the Knicks on Thursday.

The Heat were inconsistent on the road during the second half of the 2011/12 NBA season, but they should be fine against the shorthanded Knicks. With Stoudemire and Iman Shumpert sidelined, the Heat should be able to punish the Knicks inside the paint, and I expect a solid performance from Chris Bosh.

Offensively, the Heat have played well so far in the playoffs, but their defense wavered in Game 2, allowing the Knicks to shoot 49 percent from the field. Luckily for them, their offense was able to pick up the slack, but they certainly don't want to get comfortable with playing sloppy defense.

If the Heat take a 3-0 lead in the series, the Knicks chances of mounting a comeback are slim to none. And there is no question they'll bring their A-game on Thursday. The Heat should be up to the task though, and I expect another dominant display.

"It's going to add a lot," LeBron James told reporters about the Heat's upcoming contest. "We understand the intensity is going to rise even more. I've had an opportunity to play a lot of games in that building, but none quite as big as these. This is the Mecca of basketball and it comes with a little more incentive. There's a lot of history in this building. But we understand what we're there for."



Sources:
Associated Press, "Heat-Knicks Preview"

Seattle Sounders FC Prepare for Philadelphia Union

The Seattle Sounders FC will look for their fourth consecutive win when they face the Philadelphia Union on May 5. The Sounders overcame a huge hump in their last match against the Los Angeles Galaxy, defeating their Western Conference rivals for the first time in almost three years.

Unfortunately for the Sounders, they probably won't have the services of starting goalkeeper Michael Gspurnin - who already has 3 shutouts this season - against the Union. Gspurnin suffered a hip injury during the Sounders' outing against the Galaxy, and he's current awaiting the results of an MRI taken on May 3.

"Michael's in today having an MRI, so they're still doing part of that," Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid said. "It was like a two-phase MRI because we want to get a really good look at what was going on there so we can make a determination."

Regardless of Gspurnin's status for Saturday's game, the Sounders should be able to able to secure a win against Philadelphia. With a record of 2-1-4, the Union are currently one of the worst teams in the MLS, and they'll have their hands full at CenturyLink Field.

Eddie Johnson seems to be adjusting well to the Sounder's lineup, finding the back of the post in their last two outings. With midfielder Mauro Rosales back in the lineup, Johnson and Fredy Montero should enjoy some success against the Union.

"He's [Rosales] very important to the team," Johnson said about the Sounders' playmaker. "He's got a lot of experience. He's played in Europe, he's played for Ajax. One of our strengths and our style is possessing the ball, and Mauro is a player that can beat you with a one-two, he can beat you on the dribble, or he can pick out that perfect cross in the box."

Even though it's still early in the 2012 MLS season, the Sounders are already starting to establish themselves as one of the top teams in the league. The Sounders are currently third in the Western Conference table, trailing the first place San Jose Earthquakes by only six points. Given how well the Sounders have been playing lately, it's only a matter of time before they secure the top spot.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Joshua Mayers, "Zach Scott: "Whoever is out there for us, we're going to go out…"
SeattleTimes.com, "Michael Gspurning undergoes MRI after leaving Wednesday's game…"

Miami Heat Take 3-0 Lead in Series Against Knicks

The Miami Heat are now one game away from winning their first round series against the New York Knicks, winning the May 3 encounter between the two teams 87-70.

For the first time in the series, the Knicks actually competed with the Heat, taking a four point lead into the halftime break. The Heat started their comeback in the third quarter, and a 17 point fourth quarter performance by LeBron James sealed the Knicks' fate.

"He [LeBron] was in foul trouble," Chris Bosh told reporters about LeBron's performance in Game 3. "He was struggling a little bit and he pretty much had the whole third quarter to think about what was going on. I think that was good for him. I think it really built a desire in him a little bit and then he made sure we got off to a great start in the fourth quarter which was very important for us."

LeBron led Miami's offense on Thursday night, putting up a game high 32 points. He also added 8 rebounds and 5 assists to the stat sheet. Dwyane Wade was right behind LeBron, finishing with 20 points, 5 steals, and 4 assists.

Chris Bosh wasn't really aggressive in Game 3, but he played pretty well, shooting 60 percent from the field. He finished with 9 points and 10 rebounds.

The Heat were lucky enough to increase their series lead to 3-0 on May 3, but the performance of their role players was unacceptable. With the exception of Mario Chalmers - who finished with 19 points and 7 rebounds, shooting 64 percent from the field - Miami's role players simply didn't show up for Game 3, putting up a combined 7 points and 11 rebounds (collectively shooting 14 percent from the field).

Luckily for the Heat, their defense made up for the role players' poor shooting, but they can't afford to play that poorly when they try to close out their series against the Knicks on May 6.

"Coaches like those type of wins when you're not playing necessarily really well," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters. "Some of the game was ugly. Actually, most of it was almost unwatchable. The 'good' parts were merely ugly."

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Associated Press, "LeBron James, Heat pound Knicks, take commanding 3-0 lead"
Joseph Goodman, "Miami Heat overcomes uneven first half to defeat New York Knicks…"

Miami Heat Poised to Sweep Knicks

The Miami Heat will try to close out their first round series against the New York Knicks, when the two Eastern Conference powerhouses meet on May 6. The Heat haven't lost a single game to the Knicks this year, and I don't think their Sunday encounter will be any different.

Simply put, the Heat have completely dominated the Knicks in the first three games of their series, shooting 48 percent from the field, while holding their rivals to a 39 percent field goal conversion rate. The Knicks' injury problems have certainly been a factor in the way things have gone down, and there's a pretty good chance they won't have the services of Amare Stoudemire for Game 4.

Miami fans couldn't be any happier with the "big three," as they have lived up to expectations, carrying their team to three consecutive victories. LeBron James continues to defy critics - who say he isn't able to perform in the fourth quarter, dropping 17 points in the final quarter of Game 3 to secure the Heat victory.

Guard Mario Chalmers has also been a bright spot for the Heat, averaging 14.3 points and 5 assists per game in their first three playoff games against the Knicks.

Obviously, the Knicks have no intentions to go down without a fight, and the Heat will have to bring their A-game for Game 4.

"We're just trying to come in, take each game as its own game at a time and not look at it like we're up 3-0," Dwyane Wade told reporters about the Heat's upcoming game. "This is the fourth game. We've got to come in and play this game. And you can't think about anything else. After that, if we take care of business and do our job, then we get some rest and get ready for the next series. But it's a big game and we've got to approach it that way."

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Associated Press, "Heat-Knicks Preview"

Seattle Sounders Extend Unbeaten Streak to Five Games

The Seattle Sounders FC won their fourth consecutive game on May 5, defeating the Philadelphia Union 1-0. With the win, the Sounders hold on to the third spot in the MLS Western Conference standings, trailing the first place San Jose Earthquakes by 3 points.

Sounders starting goalkeeper Michael Gspurning - who is off to a solid season with 3 shutouts, wasn't able to suit up against the Union due to a hip injury, but Bryan Meredith stepped up in his place, securing a shutout in his first MLS start.

Meredith shouldn't take all the credit for his accomplishment though, as the Sounders' defenders were in form as usual, limiting the Union to only 6 shots (just one on goal). The 22 year old was gracious after the game, praising his teammates for their solid effort.

"It's more time to think about it and prepare, but again, I wasn't really too nervous," Meredith told reporters after the game. "It was a relatively easy game for me. The back four really didn't allow much through and I don't think I saw any shots on target. I think it was a good way to start my first game."

The Sounders on the other hand had no problems against Philadelphia's defense, keeping Zac MacMath pretty busy throughout the game.

Midfielder Mauro Rosales eventually put the Sounders on the scoreboard in the 63^rd minute, finishing a Fredy Montero pass for his first goal of the season. Without a doubt, the Sounders' offense is a completely different animal when Rosales is on the field, and Seattle soccer fans can only hope he remains relatively injury free for the rest of the season.

"I've been working very hard to get my fitness and [get over the] pain that I had in my knee and my ankle," Rosales said after the game. "These last two games, I felt very good and we have to keep going like that. When we win a victory like that it helps us to get confidence from everybody. Today was ... a lot changing and we were very concentrated. This was the way to win the game."

The Sounders will now head over to Texas, where they'll face Dallas FC on May 9.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Joshua Mayers, "Bryan Meredith: 'Unfortunately we smacked the crossbar…'"

Knicks Fight Back Against Miami Heat, Force Game 5

The New York Knicks fought back against the Miami Heat on May 6, defeating the defending Eastern Conference champions 89-87.

For a moment, it looked like the Heat would complete their first round sweep of the Knicks, but a poor third quarter got them in serious trouble. The Knicks cut down an 11 point lead in the third, setting the stage for a very entertaining fourth quarter. At the end of the day, the Knicks proved to be the better team, walking away with the two point victory.

"They made big plays down the stretch," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters after the game. "They made big shots. We couldn't quite match or exceed that."

Miami's "big three" did their part in Game 4, finishing with a combined 66 points. Unfortunately for them, their role players struggled offensively, putting up a measly 21 points.

With the loss, the Heat won't get as much rest as they would have liked before the second round of the playoffs. They'll now head back to the American Airlines Arena, where they'll try to close out the series on May 9.

"We'd love to take the week [off] but it's not in the cards for us to do that in this round," Wade told reporters. "You know, we'll adjust. We play Wednesday in Miami at 7 o'clock. We'll be ready to play and give our fans another exciting game."

Big picture wise, Miami's loss against the Knicks really doesn't mean much, but Game 5 is certainly a must win situation. A second straight loss to New York will bring the Knicks right back into the series, with the opportunity to even things out at Madison Square Garden. After playing so well in the first three games, the Heat would be wise to avoid that scenario, and finish off the Knicks on Wednesday.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Associated Press, "Knicks top Heat to get first postseason win since 2001"
Jeff Zillgitt, "Heat blow their chance to sweep Knicks"

Seattle Sounders Brace for Shorthanded Dallas FC Squad

The Seattle Sounders FC will look for their fifth consecutive victory when they face Dallas FC on May 9. With a 6-1-1 record, the Sounders made history with their May 5 win against the Philadelphia Union, propelling the team to their best start in franchise history. They just might get to make some more history on Wednesday, considering the fact a win would tie their franchise high for consecutive wins.

Under normal circumstances, defeating Dallas in Texas is no easy task. But the Sounders will be facing a shorthanded Dallas squad. Daniel Hernandez and Blas Perez both received red cards in Dallas' last match against the Colorado Rapids, which means they'll be forced to sit out the encounter against the Sounders.

The Sounders' defense has been the biggest contributing factor to their success this season, and Seattle soccer fans can expect more of the same on May 9. However, they'll be without the services of Leo Gonzalez, who got fined and suspended for a rough tackle against Union defender Sheanon Williams on May 5.

With midfielder Mauro Rosales back in the Sounders' lineup, their offense has played considerably better in their last three outings. Rosales scored the Sounders lone goal against the Union, making the most out of a Fredy Montero assist. He'll certainly create a lot of problems for Dallas' defense, and I expect him to lead the Sounders to another victory.

"I always want to play," Rosales said about his return to the Sounders' lineup. "I don't want to be out or in the bench or looking at the game from the [press box]. If can play, I will be there and ready for any game. We're going to see know in a few games how it goes."

Besides tying their franchise best record for the most consecutive victories, a win against Dallas will put the Sounders closer to the top spot on the Western Conference table, currently being shared by the San Jose Earthquakes and Real Salt Lake.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Joshua Mayers, "Bryan Meredith: "Unfortunately we smacked the crossbar and the..."

Miami Heat Prepare to Finish Off New York Knicks

The Miami Heat weren't able to close out their first round series against the New York Knicks in Game 4, but they'll give it another shot when the Eastern Conference rivals meet on May 9.

The Heat were on their way to sweeping the Knicks in their last encounter, but a poor third quarter performance cost them the game. They'll need to play all four quarters in Game 5, if they want to get some rest before the second round.

"You carry it with you 24 hours, you go over what needs to be done, you correct it and you get rid of it," LeBron James told reporters about their poor performance in Game 4. "That's not saying that you don't care about it but you've got to move on to the next game. You can't let it linger too much and carry that game into Game 5. So Game 4 for us is over. We're preparing for Game 5 now."

LeBron, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh played well in Game 4, finishing with 27, 22, and 17 points respectively. However, Miami's role players reverted to their old ways on Sunday, putting up a combined 21 points against the Knicks.

Miami's poor free throw shooting also cost them big in Game 4, and they certainly don't want to make a habit of it.

With a 3-1 lead in the series, the Heat will be wise to close out their series against the Knicks on Wednesday, since a loss will bring New York back into the series. Miami's superstars expect the Knicks to bring their A-game in Game 5, but they're confident they'll be up to the task.

"They'll bring something different so we've got to be prepared, in a sense like it's a regular-season game," Wade told reporters. "It'll be a little tougher. Five games in, everyone pretty much knows each other's offensive package a little bit. You can throw a couple wrinkles in but you kind of get to the point now where you start to know what guys are going to do."

Given how well the Heat have played at the American Airlines Arena this season, I expect them to send the Knicks packing on Wednesday, and start preparations for their second round series against the Indiana Pacers.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Associated Press, "Knicks-Heat Preview"

Fredy Montero Leads Seattle Sounders to 2-0 Victory Against Dallas FC

The Seattle Sounders FC took full advantage of a shorthanded Dallas FC squad on May 9, walking away with the 2-0 victory. With the win, the Sounders tie their franchise best record of five consecutive wins. At 7-1-1, the Sounders are already off to their best start in team history. And they'll have a chance to make some more history when they face Real Salt Lake on May 12.

With their win against Dallas, the Sounders are tied with the San Jose Earthquakes for the second spot in the MLS Western Conference table, trailing first place Salt Lake by a point. Given what's at stake, the Sounders' upcoming match against Salt Lake will be huge for both teams, as the winner will emerge with the best record in the West.

"It's great," Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid said about the Sounders' current win streak. "Today was tough for us because it's our fourth game in [12] days, so we had a lot of tired bodies out there. But you try to get people through it. That's why we tried cut the minutes for [Mauro] Rosales. We tried to cut [Fredy] Montero's minutes, as well, to keep us as fresh as possible because we have another game on the weekend."

As expected, Seattle's defenders played well against Dallas, walking away with their sixth shutout of the season. Goalkeeper Bryan Meredith got tested a bit more in his second start, but the 22 year old was up to the task, finishing with five saves.

"It's been fun," Meredith told reporters. "You've got to be ready to step in and do the job at any time, which sometimes makes a backup position tough. I was prepared correctly before every game and luckily I've been able to extend our winning streak."

The Sounder's offense had a few chances in the first half, but they weren't able to get on the scoreboard until the 68^th minute, when Fredy Montero - who entered the game in the second half - dribbled the ball past two Dallas defenders before blasting a shot into the post. Montero struck again three minutes later, nodding a deflected Alex Caskey cross into the post.

Seattle Soccer fans couldn't be any happier with the way the Sounders are playing right now, as they have established themselves as the best team in the MLS.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Joshua Mayers, "Fredy Montero: "We had a great battle today. We scored two goals…"

Miami Heat Send New York Knicks Home

The Miami Heat advanced to the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs on May 9, defeating the New York Knicks 106-94 at the American Airlines Arena. With the win, the Heat will now get three days off, before starting their second round series against the Indiana Pacers on May 13.

The Heat played like a team on a mission in Game 5, taking an 11 point lead into the halftime break. They stretched their lead further in the third quarter, never looking back on their way to the 12 point victory.

"We do not take this for granted," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters after the game. "This was a tough series. We feel very good about moving on and it'll only get tougher from here."

Spoelstra only used eight players in Game 5, but they all showed up to play.

LeBron James led Miami's offense against the Knicks, putting up 29 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh were right behind him, finishing with 19 points apiece. Mario Chalmers resumed his role as Miami's X-factor on Wednesday, walking away with 10 points and 6 rebounds.

"There's a lot of pride that takes place in this kind of series," Wade told reporters. "Even though it was a five-game series, it was a very tough series to win. ... I thought it helped us. You couldn't overlook this team."

Besides being a little lax on the defensive end, the Heat played pretty well in Game 5, and I expect more of the same when they start their second round series against the Pacers. The Heat won three of their four games against the Pacers during the season. And I just can't see them having any problems against Indiana.
However, the Heat won't be taking the Pacers lightly, and they're getting ready for another tough series.

"It was one of my favorite all-time series, and I think I made a little name for myself," Wade said about Miami's series against the Pacers in his rookie year. "Knicks-Miami is a ticket seller. Miami-Indiana won't get the same hype, but Indiana is a better team."

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Associated Press, "LeBron James, Heat close out Knicks in five games"
Linda Robertson, "Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade continues to refine his game as he ages"

Seattle Sounders Prepare for Toughest Test of the Season

The Seattle Sounders FC will play their biggest game so far in the 2012 MLS season when they host Real Salt Lake on May 12.

For the Sounders, a win won't just earn them the top spot in the Western Conference, but it'll also give them the opportunity to set a new franchise record for consecutive wins. With so much at stake, Seattle soccer fans can expect the Sounders to come out firing on all cylinders when the two Western Conference powerhouses meet on Saturday.

"You know 5 games in [15] days and we wanted to maximize what we got," head coach Sigi Schmid said about the Sounders' upcoming game. "Right now we've got 12 points. If we can finish this set with 15 points, that will be unbelievable and a tremendous tribute to the team."

The Sounders' defense earned another shutout in their last outing against Dallas FC, giving them a total of six for the season. They won't have the services of Zach Scott when they host Salt Lake at CenturyLink Field - due to a one game suspension for a hard tackle on Dallas midfielder Fabian Castillo, but they should be fine without him.

Salt Lake knocked the Sounders out of the 2011 MLS playoffs. But they'll be facing a very different Seattle team on Saturday. For one, Mauro Rosales will be on the field to direct the Sounders' offense, and Schmid also plans to reintroduce midfielder Alvaro Fernandez - who has been sidelined due to a quad injury.

"Yeah, I think Flaco's ready," Schmid said. "The only question for us is whether we start him or whether we bring him off the bench. The other concern that you have as a coach now as you put together your staring lineup is I think Flaco is ready and healthy, but probably not healthy for 90 minutes."

With Fernandez back on the field, the Sounders shouldn't have any problems moving the ball up the field. They're already playing like the best team in the MLS, and it's about time their record reflects their level of play.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Joshua Mayers, "Fredy Montero: "We had a great battle today. We scored two goals…"
Seattletimes.com, "Sounders FC's Alvaro Fernandez: 'I feel good. I'm ready to go.'"

Real Salt Lake Snaps Seattle Sounders’ Five-game Win Streak

The Seattle Sounders FC ran into some problems on May 12, losing 1-0 to Real Salt Lake at CenturyLink Field. With the win, Salt Lake robbed the Sounders of their opportunity to set a new record for the most consecutive wins in franchise history. But Seattle will still get to hold on to the second spot in the MLS Western Conference table, tied with the San Jose Earthquakes with 22 points apiece.

"I thought we played well for the first 45 minutes," Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid told reporters after the game. "I think they had some looks at goal, but I don't think we gave up a lot of good chances. Obviously, they buried one of them and that sometimes happens. I didn't think we were as good in the second half. I thought they did a good job of taking a little bit of the air out of the ball, slowing down our attack. I think maybe fatigue affected us because our movement up front wasn't as active as it was in the first half. Five games in [15] days is a little bit of a haul, but at the end it's not an excuse."

The Sounders actually controlled the ball better during their match against Salt Lake, but they had a hard time getting to their opponent's post, finishing with zero shots on goal. Even without Zach Scott, their defense did a good job of containing Salt Lake's forwards, but they eventually conceded a goal in the 51^st minute, when Fabian Espindola fired one past Bryan Meredith.

Even though the Sounders didn't finish their tough 15 day stretch the way Seattle soccer fans would have liked, winning 4 games in 15 days is still an impressive feat. The certainly don't have anything to be ashamed of, and I'm sure they'll bounce right back after they get some much needed rest.

Fortunately for the Sounders, they'll now get six days off before heading out to face the Vancouver Whitecaps FC on May 19.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Joshua Mayers, "Sigi Schmid: "When top teams meet, there's sometimes not a lot that…"

Miami Heat Look to Start Strong Against Indiana Pacers

The Miami Heat will start off their second round postseason series against the Indiana Pacers on May 13. The Heat didn't have any problems against the New York Knicks, sending their conference rivals home in five games. They'll look to do the same against the Pacers, and the numbers are in their favor.

The Heat matched up nicely against the Pacers during the 2011/12 regular season, winning three of the four encounters between the two teams. Obviously, the playoffs are a completely different animal, and the Heat won't be taking the Pacers lightly.

"They're a much different team in the last six weeks," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters about Miami's upcoming series. "We feel we are, too. Watching some of our film from those last two games [against Indiana], it's not really recognizable. Our energy level at that period of time, but also how we were playing offensively - there's a lot of different things from our standpoint."

LeBron James will be highly motivated to play on Sunday, considering the fact he's just collected his third regular season MVP award. While LeBron was honored to make history by becoming the ninth NBA player to win three MVP awards, he remains solely focused on the big picture.

''Heat nation, we have a bigger goal,'' LeBron said after receiving his award. ''This is very overwhelming to me as an individual award. But this is not the award I want, ultimately. I want that championship. That's all that matters to me.''

The Pacers got a little lucky in the first round of the playoffs, going against a Dwight Howard-less Orlando Magic. Against Miami, they'll have three solid (four if you consider how well Mario Chalmers has been playing in the postseason) superstars to deal with, and I don't think they'll be able to handle the heat.

The Pacers will try their hardest against the Heat, but they'll probably fall short in the end. They're simply not good enough to derail Miami's championship dreams, and I expect the series to be over in five games or less.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Associated Press, "Pacers-Heat Preview"
Associated Press, "LeBron James wins third MVP award"

Miami Heat Too Hot for Indiana Pacers in Game 1

The Miami Heat got off to a good start in their first round series against the Indiana Pacers, walking away with the 95-86 victory on May 13.

The Heat were a little sluggish in the first half of the game, trailing the Pacers by six points heading into the halftime break. They started fighting back in the third quarter, and they kept it up in the fourth quarter, led by the reining MVP, LeBron James.

As expected, LeBron put on a monstrous performance in Game 1, putting up 32 points and 15 rebounds. Dwyane Wade - who historically puts up solid numbers against Indiana - struggled with his jumper against the Pacers, shooting 35 percent from the field. Wade made up for his poor shooting at the free throw line though, knocking down 13 of his 14 attempts. He finished will 29 points and 4 assists.

"We took it upon ourselves, me and D-Wade, we had to put the team on our back," James told reporters. "I made a conscious effort in the second half to rebound the ball even more."

Chris Bosh was having a lot success against the Pacers, but an abdominal injury forced him out of the game towards the end of the first half. He left with 13 points and 5 rebounds.

"We have some time now. We don't know what Chris' status is," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters after the game. "We won't know until we get an MRI, move on from there."

Miami's role players didn't particularly play well in Game 1, but they did get a much needed boost from Joel Anthony, who finished with 9 points and 7 rebounds (going 4-4 from the field).

The Heat's offense struggled a bit on Sunday, but they played a lot better on the defensive end, containing Indiana's superstars. They'll have to make a few adjustments on the offensive end, but they should be able to duplicate their success - with or without Bosh - when the two teams meet on May 15 for Game 2.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Ira Winderman, "James powers Heat past Pacers 95-86, with Bosh lost to injury"

Miami Heat Brace for Game 2 Without Chris Bosh

The Miami Heat were able to impose their will against the Indiana Pacers on May 13, taking a 1-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. They'll try to duplicate their success when the two teams meet again on May 15.

Just a day after receiving his third MVP award, LeBron James led his teammates to victory against the Pacers, finishing with 32 points (a majority of which came in the second half) and 15 rebounds. LeBron also got some much needed help from Dwyane Wade, who finished with 29 points of his own.

"It's a battle and we know, regardless of being at home, being away, who we're playing, what round, it's tough to win in the playoffs and you have to fight for every single possession," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters. "And that's what it was."

Miami power forward Chris Bosh was on his way to putting up solid numbers in Game 1, but an abdominal strain forced him out of the game. Bosh is out of Miami's lineup indefinitely, and we probably won't see any more of him in the series against the Pacers.

Even though the Heat got the desired result against the Pacers in Game 1, their performance certainly wasn't flawless, and they'll have to work on a few things before Tuesday. For one, Miami didn't particularly shoot the ball well from the field, converting on 41 percent of their field goal attempts.

With the exception of Joel Anthony, Miami's role players didn't show up for Game 1, and they certainly don't want to make a habit of it. With Chris Bosh potentially out for the remainder of the series, the Heat will need their role players to pick up the slack.

Without a doubt, the Pacers will come out firing in Game 2, but they'll have their hands full against the Heat. The Heat are virtually unbeatable at the American Airlines Arena, and I expect them to increase their series lead to 2-0 on Tuesday.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Associated Press, "LeBron James, Dwyane Wade carry Heat past Pacers as Chris Bosh goes down"

Indiana Pacers Even Out Series Against Miami Heat

The Indiana Pacers shocked the Miami Heat on May 15, walking away with 78-75 win at the American Airlines Arena. With the win, the Pacers now have home court advantage for the remainder of the series, a position the Heat certainly didn't want to find themselves in.

The Heat played well during the first half of Game 2, but they couldn't keep it up in the third quarter, allowing the Pacers to outscore them by 14 points. They tried to dig themselves out of the hole in the final quarter, but they fell short in the end, allowing the Pacers to even out the series.

"Welcome to the playoffs, for us," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters after the game. "That's how we're viewing it. This series has started. They won on our home court. Now we have to collect ourselves, gather ourselves and get ready for Game 3. That's all that matters right now."

LeBron James led Miami's offense against the Pacers in Game 2, finishing with 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 steals. LeBron did have a chance to give Miami the lead in the final minute of the game, but he wasn't able to convert on a pair of free throws.

"The game is not lost or won with two free throws," LeBron told reporters. "But I definitely want to come through for my teammates. So I'll get an opportunity again. I know I'll be at the line again in that situation. Just go up and make 'em."

Dwyane Wade also played well on Tuesday, adding 24 points and 6 rebounds to the scoreboard.

Chris Bosh -who is possibly out for the remainder of the series against the Pacers due to an abdominal strain - was definitely missed by the Heat, as they weren't able to get their role players going on the offensive end. For the second straight game, Miami's role players failed to show up, with no one besides LeBron and Wade finishing with over 5 points. With the series about to relocate to Indiana, Spoelstra needs to find a way to get them going.

Given how poorly Miami played on the road in the second half of the 2011/12 NBA season, they'll need their role players to step it up a notch, if they want to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Associated Press, "Pacers hold off Heat down stretch, knot series 1-1"

Miami Heat Prepare for Crucial Game 3 Against Indiana Pacers

Things didn't go as planned in the Miami Heat's last outing, and they'll try to get back on track when they visit the Indiana Pacers on May 17.

The Heat will have their work cut out for them though, considering the fact they struggled on the road during the second half of the 2011/12 NBA season, and they're 1-1 away from the American Airlines Arena in the postseason.

With Chris Bosh not expected back in the lineup anytime soon, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James will have to step it up a notch, but they'll also need some help from the role players.

"It's going to be fun," LeBron said about Miami's upcoming contest. "It's what the playoffs are all about. At the end of the day, you've got to try to win on somebody else's floor. And we look forward to going up there."

After putting up decent numbers in the Heat's first round series against the New York Knicks, Miami's role players have failed to show up in their last two outings. Mario Chalmers in particular has slowed down against the Pacers. With Bosh likely out for the remainder of the series against the Pacers, Chalmers will need to become the third member of the "big three," and put up appropriate numbers.

While it isn't quite time for the Heat to start panicking, there is no question Game 3 is a must win situation for them. They've already lost home-court advantage, and falling behind in the series is simply not an option.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra will definitely need to find a way to motivate Miami's supporting cast, as they'll need to find a way to keep the series from spiraling out of control.

"You've got a 2 seed playing against a 3 seed," Spoelstra told reporters. "That's historically one of the more competitive battles over the years. And that's the way it should be. … Nothing is going to come easy for either team. You look at it; both teams are shooting under 40 percent."

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Tim Reynolds, "Heat-Pacers Preview"

Indiana Pacers Take 2-1 Series Lead Against Miami Heat

The Indiana Pacers put on one of their most impressive performances of the year against the Miami Heat on May 17, taking a 2-1 lead in Eastern Conference semifinals with their 94-75 victory.

The Heat actually got off to a solid start against the Pacers, but they weren't able to keep it up as the game progressed. The Pacers fought their way back in the second quarter, and they lit the Heat up in the second half, walking away with the 19 point victory.

After slowing down in the first two games of the series, Mario Chalmers stepped his game up in Game 3, leading Miami's offense with his 25 points. LeBron James was Miami's second highest scorer, finishing with 22 points and 7 rebounds.

Dwyane Wade had a hard time knocking down shots against the Pacers, converting on only 2 of his 13 field goal attempts. He finished the game with 5 points - a career low in the postseason. Wade exchanged some heated words with Miami coach Erik Spoelstra as the game spiraled out of control, prompting some to question the team's morale.

"That happens," Spoelstra told reporters about the altercation. "Anybody that has been part of a team or has been a coach or been a player, you have no idea how often things like that happen. That was during a very emotional part of the game. We were getting our butt kicked. Those exchanges happen all the time during the course of an NBA season."

Spoelstra does deserve some of the blame for Miami's Game 3 loss, considering the fact he allowed Indiana's defense to alter their offense, turning them into a jump shooting team. Miami's players also did a poor job of boxing-out their opponents, getting outrebounded by 16.

When most basketball fans think of the Heat's "big three," Chris Bosh is often seen as the third wheel. However, Bosh's presence on the floor is certainly missed by the Heat, and regaining control of the series without him won't be easy.

With Game 4 set for May 20, the Heat will have a couple of days to figure out what adjustments they need to make against the Pacers. The Heat will obviously need Wade to play a lot better on Sunday, and they'll also need a lot more hustle from the entire team.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Associated Press, "Roy Hibbert scores 19 and adds 18 boards as Pacers pound Heat"

Miami Heat Even Out Series Against Indiana Pacers

The Miami Heat evened out their second round series against the Indiana Pacers, walking away with the 101-93 victory on May 20. With the win, the Heat have regained home-court advantage against the Pacers, and they'll now head back to the American Airlines with the series tied at 2 games apiece.

For a moment, it looked like the Heat were in for another rough night, as Dwyane Wade had a hard time making his shots early on. By halftime, the Pacers had built an eight point lead, but the Heat showed their resiliency in the third quarter, led by Wade and LeBron James. The Heat outscored the Pacers by 14 points in the third quarter, and a little boost from Udonis Haslem helped them seal the deal in the fourth.

LeBron played like the best player in the NBA on Sunday, putting up a monstrous 40 points, 18 rebounds, and 9 assists. Despite a poor first half, Wade finished with some impressive numbers as well, walking away with 30 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists.

The Heat played like a completely different team on May 20, and coach Erik Spoelstra does deserve some credit for making the necessary adjustments. After getting outrebounded in their previous outing, the Heat made boxing out their opponents a priority, grabbing 9 more boards than the Pacers. Miami's players also changed their mindset on the offensive end, increasing their aggressiveness and driving to the basket more often.

For a moment, it looked like the Heat were on the verge of having a meltdown, but they showed a lot of character in Game 4. LeBron, Wade, and Haslem stepped up to the plate in a hostile environment, but they'll still need their role players to play a lot better.

Still, the Heat have managed to dig themselves out a hole, and they'll have a chance to take the lead in the series when the two teams meet for Game 5 on May 22.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.

Sounders Escape with 2-2 Draw Against Whitecaps

The Seattle Sounders FC didn't get the result they were looking for coming off their loss to Real Salt Lake, but they did keep their unbeaten streak in the Cascadia Cup intact, walking away with the 2-2 draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps on May 19.

With the draw, the Sounders remain at the third spot in the MLS Western Conference table, trailing first place Salt Lake by only three points.

The Whitecaps struck first in the encounter against the Sounders, when defender Alain Rochat fired one into the post at the 12^th minute mark. The Sounders weren't able to get anything going offensively in the first half, but they went right to work in the second half. Sounders playmaker Mauro Rosales fed Eddie Johnson with a beautiful cross, and the forward made the most of it, nodding one past Vancouver goalkeeper Joe Cannon.

"It was one of those goals with good buildup," Johnson said about his third goal of the season. "Whenever the ball goes out wide to Mauro it was just trying to get in the box between the two center backs. I think for the first time tonight I was free on goal where I wasn't battling with one of the defenders."

However, the Whitecaps weren't done, and they tried to steal the victory in the 82^nd minute when Seattle goalkeeper Bryan Meredith let a free kick played by Camilo Sanvezzo slip right past him. Fortunately for Seattle soccer fans, Fredy Montero was able to even things out before the final whistle, preventing what would have been the Sounders' second consecutive loss.

"In the first half we didn't do a good job against the central part of their midfield," Sounders coach Sigi Schmid told reporters after the game. "Davidson was free a lot to orchestrate it, and they were constantly playing three against two. What we did at halftime is we dropped Montero into that hole a little bit to deal with Davidson and played more of a 4-3-2-1 to match up a little bit better with that."

Seattle's defenders played pretty well against the Whitecaps, but their offense did blow a few opportunities along the way. Fortunately for the Sounders, they managed to escape with a point, and they'll now get a few days to regroup before taking on the Columbus Crew on May 23.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Joshua Mayers, "Fredy Montero: "It's always good to get points away, but obviously…"

Miami Heat Take 3-2 Lead Against Indiana Pacers

The Miami Heat regained the lead in their series against the Indiana Pacers, walking away with the 115-83 victory on May 22. With a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference semi-finals, the Heat are back to playing world class basketball, and they'll have a chance to close out the series when the two teams meet again on May 24.

"We really have to commit to keeping this edge we've had for two games knowing we're going into a hostile environment," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters after the game. "This is our challenge right now, to leave it behind us. A lot of good things tonight, but we have to focus on the next one."

The Heat came out firing on all cylinders on Tuesday, and they didn't let up until the final buzzer. They outscored the Pacers in every quarter of the game, cruising on to the lopsided victory.

The Pacers tried to make up for their poor play by being physical, but the Heat fought fire with fire, sending Danny Granger and David West off the court with injuries. Definitely the most physical game of the series, but I for one enjoyed watching the Heat intimidate the Pacers.

Once again, LeBron James led Miami's offense against the Pacers, putting up 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists. Dwyane Wade also played well in Game 5, finishing with 28 points.

After struggling a bit in the first four games of the series, Miami's role players did their part to help LeBron and Wade in Game 5. As a team, the Heat shot 61 percent from the field, while holding the Pacers to 34 percent.

"We want to continue to defend," LeBron told reporters. "When we defend and rebound we're a good team and it allows us to get into our break."

For a moment, it looked like the Pacers were about to pull off a huge upset in the Eastern Conference semi-finals, but the Heat stood their ground, reminding basketball fans why they're so highly regarded. They still have some work left to be done, and it'll be in their best interest to close out the series when the two teams meet again on Thursday.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Associated Press, "Heat pummel Pacers, move within win of Eastern Conference finals berth"
Joseph Goodman, "Miami Heat defeats Indiana Pacers, takes 3-2 lead in series"

Miami Heat Brace for Game 6 Against Indiana Pacers

The Miami Heat will try to secure their spot in the Eastern Conference finals when they visit the Indiana Pacers on May 24.

Coming into the series, Miami fans didn't expect the Heat to have any problems against Indiana, but an injury to Chris Bosh changed the dynamics of the series. The Heat struggled in their first two games without Bosh, allowing the Pacers to take control of the series. Fortunately for the Heat, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were able to carry the entire team on their backs in Game 4, and their role players finally showed up in Game 5.

Unfortunately for the Heat, they'll be without two of their role players for Game 6, as Udonis Haslem and Dexter Pittman have been suspended for their role in the hostilities that took place during Game 5. Udonis will only have to miss Game 6, but Pittman will have to miss the Heat's next three games.

"It's very disappointing, obviously," Shane Battier said about the suspensions. "But we're a resilient group. ... The verdict process is a mystery to players, and so we don't get caught up in it. We can't control it. We know the NBA's going to do what they feel they need to do and we need to live with the consequences. So it's really out of our hands, not worth getting riled up. We're going to put together an effort that will make Udonis and Dexter proud."

Haslem was a big part of the Heat's last win in Indiana, and he'll certainly me missed on Thursday. However, the Pacers might not have the services of Danny Granger - who sprained his ankle in Game 5, and things might just end up evening out when the two teams meet on the court.

LeBron and Wade put up impressive numbers in their last two games against the Pacers, and they'll need more of the same in Game 5. I'm sure the Heat's superstars will be up to the task, and I expect them to close out their series against the Pacers on Thursday.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Associated Press, "Heat-Pacers Preview"

Seattle Sounders Struggle Against Columbus Crew

The Seattle Sounders FC suffered their worst loss of the season on May 23, losing 2-0 to the Columbus Crew.

With the loss, the Sounders remain winless in their last three outings. Luckily for them, their troubles haven't cost them much in the MLS Western Conference table, and they'll get to stay at the third spot, trailing first place Real Salt Lake by 4 points.

Contrary to what the final results say, the Sounders' defenders actually played well on Wednesday, limiting the crews' offense to only five shots on goal. However, Seattle goalkeeper Bryan Meredith had another tough outing on Wednesday, allowing Columbus' only two shots on goal to find the back of the post.

"I'm very disappointed in myself, for sure," Meredith told reporters. "I think they only got like three shots on goal and two of them went in the back of the net. Definitely not a good day for me, not a good day for the team. Right now, we're in a bit of a slump and we've just got to find our way out of it."

Justin Meram scored the Crew's first goal 15 minutes into the match, finishing a Dilly Duka cross with a well-played header. Emilio Renteria got the Crew some insurance in the 76^th minute, lobbing the ball over Meredith for his first goal of the season.

Even though the Sounders didn't get the result they wanted on Wednesday, they actually played well against the Crew, controlling the ball for the majority of the game. Their forwards had a lot more chances than the Crew's did, but they just weren't able to get anything into the back of the post.

"First, I just want to give credit to Columbus," Sounders forward Eddie Johnson told reporters after the game. "To come here and to play in front of 40,000 fans against a good team, they were well-disciplined for 90 minutes and hard to break down. Sometimes football is like that. You have a lot of chances and the keeper made some good saves on Fredy's opportunities, but on another day those shots go in. It was just not our day, but credit to those guys."

The Sounders will now get a few days to make the necessary adjustments before taking on Chivas USA on May 26.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Joshua Mayers, "Sigi Schmid: "We need to soul search. I need to soul search…"

Miami Heat Close Out Tough Series Against the Indiana Pacers

The Miami Heat secured their spot in the Eastern Conference finals on May 24, defeating the Indiana Pacers 105-93. With the win, the Heat will now get a few days to relax, while the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers battle for the second spot in the conference finals on May 26.

The Heat actually came out flat in Game 6, but they fought their way back in the second quarter. They took over the game in the third quarter, never looking back on their way to the victory.

The Heat didn't have the services of Udonis Haslem - who was serving a one game suspension - in Game 6, but it really didn't matter thanks to the impressive play of Dwyane Wade. Dwyane led Miami's offense against the Pacers, finishing with 41 points and 10 rebounds.

"In the regular season, we've had some good games," Wade told reporters after the game. "But I don't know if we've ever had three in a row like that in the playoffs. … We understand that when Chris went out, we had to step up. The team looked to us to lead."

LeBron also played his part on Thursday, putting up 28 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds. The Heat also got a much needed boost from Mario Chalmers and Mike Miller, who finished the contest with 15 and 12 points respectively.

The Heat were the favorites going into their series against Indiana, but the Pacers came to play, exceeding all expectations against Miami. The Pacers certainly deserve a lot of credit for holding their own against one of the best teams in the NBA, and I'm sure we'll see a lot more of them in the future.

For the most part, the Heat didn't have the services of Bosh in their series against the Pacers, but he is expected to return during the conference finals. However, given how well LeBron and Wade are playing right now, he won't have to rush himself, as the "big two" are more than capable of getting the team into the finals.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Associated Press, "Dwyane Wade, Heat close out Pacers in six games"

Seattle Sounders Unable to Snap Winless Streak Against Chivas USA

The Seattle Sounders FC weren't able to break out of their funk against Chivas USA on May 26, settling for the 1-1 draw. With the result of their match against Chivas, the Sounders are now winless in their last four outings. Fortunately for the Sounders, their problems haven't cost them much in the Western Conference table, and they remain at the third spot in the west.

Chivas was simply the better team on Saturday, controlling the ball for a majority of their encounter against the Sounders. Fortunately for Seattle, their defenders did a good job of protecting Bryan Meredith, preventing what could have been a disastrous outing.

"We always like to get three -- every team wants to go out there and get three -- but right now, where we're at, I was happy with the fact that we came back and tied," Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid told reporters after the game. "It would've been nice if we could've stolen the one, but it would've been a little bit of steal. I thought Chivas at times played very well. They had good possession. We tried to keep their possession in front of us and at their end of the field, so it really didn't relate into a lot of dangerous opportunities per se."

The match remained scoreless at the end of the first half, but the Goats struck early in the second half, when Juan Agudelo nodded a James Riley cross into the post. The Sounders evened things out a few minutes later, thanks to a well played shot by David Estrada.

"It's always nice for a forward to score goals, but I'm mainly trying to open up space and try to have Fredy be the one that scores," Estrada said. "Luckily the ball bounced to me; I think it was a mis-clearance by the defender. I was just there at the right time. Some people say it's luck, but I'm always looking to get myself in the right spots."

The Sounders next game will be on May 30, when they face the Atlanta Silverbacks in the group stage of the 2012 U.S. Open Cup. The Sounders made history by becoming the second team to win three consecutive U.S. Open titles last year. And I'm sure they'll be motivated to add one more title to their collection.

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Joshua Mayers, "Estrada: 'This was a difficult point to earn coming into their house.'"

Shorthanded Miami Heat Brace for Boston Celtics

The Miami Heat will try to take a step closer to the NBA finals when they face the Boston Celtics on May 28.

The Heat and Celtics met in the conference semifinals during the 2011 postseason - with Miami winning the series in five games, but they'll be in for a tougher contest this time around. The Celtics won three of the four encounters between the two teams during the 2011/12 regular season (by at least eight points), and the Heat won't have the services of Chris Bosh early on in the series.

"He's doing a little bit more, but it's still indefinite," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said about Bosh's status. "For our mental state of health, I love you Chris, but our preparation is without him."

Still, Miami's superstars are confident they'll emerge victorious when it's all said and done.

"I wouldn't have it no other way, personally," LeBron said about Miami's upcoming series against the Celtics. "It's really the only team I'm accustomed to playing in the playoffs. No matter where I go, I find a way to play Boston. ... We've got a lot of history."

LeBron put up MVP type numbers in Miami's series against the Indiana Pacers, and they'll need a lot more from him against the Celtics. Dwyane Wade also brought a lot to the table against the Pacers, capping off the series with a 41 point performance.

The Celtics closed out a very tough series against the Philadelphia 76ers on May 26, and fatigue will probably be a factor in Game 1, considering the fact they'll only get a day to rest before taking on the Heat. Miami's superstars have no intentions of taking them lightly though, vowing not to let the Celtics' tough road to the Eastern Conference finals give them a false sense of security.

"I don't believe none of that," Wade said. "No feet hurtin', no tired, no nothing. This is the Boston Celtics. They're all 100 percent to me because when they play the Miami Heat, different ballgame and vice versa. Ain't no story lines, no excuses. ... Last year, yeah, we beat them in five, but man, it was like a nine-game series, it felt like."

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Associated Press, "Celtics-Heat Preview" 
Greg Cote, "Miami Heat needs Chris Bosh to win title but can top Celtics without him"

Bosh-less Miami Heat Take 1-0 Lead Against Celtics

The Miami Heat manhandled the Boston Celtics on May 28, walking away with the 93-79 victory at the American Airlines Arena. With the win, the Heat take a 1-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals, with Game 2 scheduled for May 30 in Miami.

The Celtics dominated the Heat during the 2011/12 regular season, but they had a hard time keeping up with the shorthanded Miami squad on Monday (Chris Bosh remained sidelined due to an abdominal injury).

The Heat came out firing on all cylinders, building up a 10 point lead by the end of the first quarter. The Celtics fought their way back in the second quarter, evening out things by the end of the half. The Heat weren't about to be denied on their home-court though, and they came out blazing in the third quarter, regaining control of the game and securing their first win in the series.

"Coming out of halftime and figuring it was a tie game - because Joel Anthony's shot didn't count, with a team like that; you don't want to spar with them too much," Dwyane Wade told reporters after the game.

"Especially with the point guard they have in [Rajon] Rondo. He's able to make so many things happen. For us to able to have a start on the defensive end, to have the run start all defensively, and rebound the ball, getting out in transition, making shots, making baskets, that's ideal for us. That's our perfect game."

LeBron James put up solid numbers in Game 1, walking away with 32 points and 13 rebounds. Wade also played well on Monday, putting up 22 points and 7 assists.

I wasn't particular impressed with Miami's role players, but they did get some help from Shane Battier, Mario Chalmers and Mike Miller, who finished the game with 10, 9, and 8 points respectively. Besides leading Miami's role players in scoring, Battier was also a force to be reckoned with on the boards, pulling down 10 rebounds.

Miami's defense was simply amazing in Game 1, and I don't see them having any problems against the Celtics if they keep it up. The Heat don't want to let their guard down though, since the Celtics aren't the type of team to go down without a fight.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Associated Press, "LeBron James-led Heat put away Celtics in Game 1"

Seattle Sounders Brace for Silverbacks

After getting off to a good start in the 2012 MLS season, the Seattle Sounders FC have slowed down a bit. They remain winless in their last four outings, but they'll have the perfect opportunity to regroup when they face the Atlanta Silverbacks on May 30.

For the Sounders, it will be their first game in the 2012 U.S. Open cup, and the three-time defending champions will like to make a strong statement. In 2011, the Sounders made history by becoming the second team to win the U.S. Open Cup three consecutive times, and I'm sure they'll like to make some more history this year.

The Sounders had a hard time controlling the ball in their last outing, getting dominated by Chivas USA on May 26. Fortunately for them, their defenders did a good job of keeping the ball in front of them, minimizing the Goats' shots on goal.

Seattle's defenders have been pretty consistent all season, but the same can't be said about their offense. The Sounders have only been able to score three goals in their last four outings, even though they've been able to get a decent amount of opportunities.

The Sounders will be the favorites going into their encounter against the Silverbacks, but they have no intentions to take them lightly. With the opportunity to become the first team to win four consecutive U.S. Open Cup titles, the Sounders plan to bring their A-game every time they suit up during the tournament.

"Getting to play them in the Open Cup is big, but we're not stupid enough to think we can overlook Atlanta," Seattle defender Zach Scott told reporters about the Sounders' upcoming match. "I've been in that position a lot of times with the lower-division Sounders, where an MLS team has come in cocky, overconfident and we put them in their place. I'll be sure the guys know we need to stay focused on this game."

David has been a fan of the Seattle Sounders for the past 3 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Joshua Mayers, "Monday notes: 'Opportunity Week' arrives"

Miami Heat Brace for Game 2 Against Boston Celtics

The Miami Heat will try to take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals when they host the Boston Celtics on May 30.

The Heat frustrated the Celtics with their defense in Game 1, holding them to 40 percent shooting from the field. They didn't have the services of Chris Bosh - who is still nursing an abdominal injury, and the big man won't be able to suit up for Game 2 either.

LeBron Games led Miami's offense against the Celtics in Game 1, putting up 32 points and 13 rebounds. Dwyane Wade also did his part to make up for Bosh's absence, walking away with 22 points and 7 rebounds.

"For us, we're playing great team ball, especially in the fourth quarter," Wade said. "We're not playing as much hero ball that we played last year. We're getting off the ball. We're penetrating. We're trusting each other a lot more. It comes with time. In the fourth quarter we believe in each other, and that's been a success for us."

Shane Battier, Mike Miller, and Mario Chalmers all showed up in Game 1, but the other role players on Miami's roster didn't really step up their game.

"I think we all felt that we could have played better," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters about Miami's last outing. "We weren't as sharp as we had been, particularly in the three games before that. But that's the playoffs. You have to find a way to survive and win, even if you have to do it when you're not playing your best, like last night."

Given how badly the Heat struggled during the second half of the 2011/12 NBA season, they certainly deserve a lot of credit for what they've done in the postseason so far. They got past a hungry Indiana Pacers team without the services of Bosh, and they couldn't have asked for a better start against the Celtics.
David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Associated Press, "Celtics-Heat Preview"

Miami Heat Outlast Boston Celtics in Tough Game 2

The Miami Heat defeated the Boston Celtics on May 30, walking away with a 115-111 victory. With the win, the Heat are now six wins away from their first title in the LeBron James era.

Unlike Game 1, Wednesday's contest was very competitive, with the Heat finally pulling away in overtime.
The Celtics came out blazing in the first quarter, taking a seven-point lead into the halftime break. The Heat started their comeback in the third quarter, outscoring the Celtics by 13 points and regaining control of the game.

However, the Celtics had a little more fight left in them, and they fought their way back in the final quarter, forcing the game into overtime. Fortunately for the Heat, they came out strong in the overtime period, securing the four point victory.

"This group [the Celtics] had resolve," Dwyane Wade told reporters after the game. "They came out and played a great game. It was physical early. They brought the game to us. That can't happen. We used our crowd and the energy to get back into the game, and we had to play better."

The Heat strayed from their trademark defense in Game 2, and it almost cost them the win. They allowed Rajon Rondo to put up historic numbers against them, with the Celtics' point guard finishing with 44 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds.

LeBron struggled a bit with his shot in Game 2, but he was still productive on the court, finishing with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. Wade was Miami's second highest scorer, walking away with 23 points and 6 rebounds.

Mario Chalmers also gave the Celtics a lot of problems on Wednesday, finishing with 22 points and 6 assists.

While the Heat didn't show up defensively in Game 2, I like what they did on the offensive end. They spread out their offense throughout the game, and that made it easier for their role players to get involved. With the exception of Norris Cole - who only played for two minutes, every player on Miami's squad put points on the board, and I hope to see more of the same when the two teams meet at The Garden for Game 3 on June 1.

David is a Miami Heat fan that has followed the team for 16 years. Follow him on twitter @davidkingwriter and check out his blog.
 
Sources:
Associated Press, "Rajon Rondo outstanding but LeBron James, Heat rally for 2-0 lead"