Washington Wizards Derail Miami Heat

After defeating the Chicago Bulls two days ago, the Miami Heat ran into some problems against the Washington Wizards, losing 86-84 on April 21. With the loss, the Heat will have to settle for the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Miami coach Erik Spoelstra decided to rest LeBron James and Chris Bosh against the Wizards, but the Heat received an unexpected surprise early in the first quarter, when Dwyane Wade dislocated his finger. With Wade out, the Heat's role players were forced to carry the load against the Wizards.

Even in defeat, Spoelstra seemed pleased with the way the role players played, and he wasn't too worried about their position in the conference standings.

"This was a great game for the rest of the guys," Spoelstra told reporters after the game. "To be able to compete, the guys showed a lot of toughness, especially when we got down double digits, to find a different way and not have to rely on Dwyane and Chris and LeBron. There were some brilliant, tough plays on both ends."

Mario Chalmers and Shane Battier led the Heat's offense against the Wizards, finishing with 16 points apiece. Dexter Pittman and Norris Cole also played well for the Heat, finishing with 12 and 11 points respectively.

Even without the "big three," the Heat maintained their defensive mindset, holding the Wizards to 41 percent shooting from the field. Given the problems the Heat have faced in the second half of the 2011/12 NBA season, it's certainly nice to see that they're capable of playing solid defense without their superstars.

However, I didn't particularly like Spoelstra's decision to keep LeBron on the bench, particularly when it was obvious Wade wasn't going to return to the game. He'll certainly get some flak for that, and I can only hope Spoelstra's decision doesn't come back to haunt them in the playoffs.

Miami's next game will be against the Houston Rockets on April 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.
 
Sources:
Associated Press, "Miami Heat Look for Another Win Against Wizards"

Miami Heat Look for Another Win Against Washington Wizards

The Miami Heat will try to move closer to the top spot in the NBA's Eastern Conference, when they face the Washington Wizards on April 21. The Heat moved within one and a half games of the top spot with their April 19 win against the conference leading Bulls, legitimizing their hopes of finishing the season with the top seed.

The Heat manhandled the Wizards in the only encounter between the two teams this season, walking away with the 106-89 victory on Feb. 10.

At this point in the season, the Wizards are only playing for pride, and the Heat shouldn't have any problems against them at the American Airlines Arena. The Heat have been extremely dominant at home, while the Wizards have struggled on the road all season.

Miami's role players and defense has given fans a lot of reasons for concern since the All-Star break, but coach Erik Spoelstra seems to have found a way to turn things around. They've tightened up their defense in the past few weeks, and their role players are back to putting significant numbers on the board.

Unfortunately for the Heat, their poor play in the second half of the 2011/12 season has cost them the top spot in the east. They'll need to close the season out strong - and a little bit of luck, if they want to secure the number one seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Given how well the Heat have played at home, home-court advantage will definitely be beneficial to them come playoff time. Spoelstra doesn't really seem concerned with the standings though, and he's confident the Heat will be fine regardless of the final standings.

"We needed to address our consistency, our identity, make sure that we're playing at a high level going into the postseason," Spoelstra told reporters. "That is, first and foremost, our priority. Obviously the standings are something that we're aware of. And when you have an opportunity to play for it, you do. But in terms of it being bigger than anything ... I think players have the proper perspective about it."

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:
Stats LLC, "Wizards-Heat Preview"

Miami Heat’s Defense Stifles Bulls

The Miami Heat pulled off one of their most important wins of the season on April 19, defeating the Chicago Bulls 83-72. With the win, the Heat are now one and a half games behind the Bulls in the Eastern Conference standings. To make things even better for the Heat, the Bulls will face tough opponents in their next two games, starting with the Dallas Mavericks on April 21.

With the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs on the line, things got pretty physical when the two rivals met at the American Airlines Arena. However, the Heat maintained their composure, turning up their defense in the second half and securing the victory.

"This is what the postseason is all about," LeBron James told reporters after the game. "Both teams struggling to score offensively, and defensively, two very good defensive teams. It's a possession game. That's what happens in the postseason. The game slows down. Not many fast-break points. You've got to work for every attempt, work for every shot."

With three of Miami's four remaining games against lesser teams, their chances of winning the top spot in the east are pretty good right now.

LeBron put up another impressive performance against the Bulls, finishing with 27 points (game-high), 11 rebounds, and 6 assists. Dwyane Wade also played well against Chicago, putting up 18 points and 5 assists.
Chris Bosh didn't suit up against the Bulls - who were without Derrick Rose, but it really didn't matter.

Dexter Pittman and Udonis Haslem made the most of their elongated minutes, finishing with a combined 10 points and 17 rebounds.

The Heat have had their share of problems since the All-Star break, but they're finally getting back on track. Their defense is once again one of the best in the NBA, holding the Bulls to 36 percent shooting from the field on Thursday. Miami's role players are also starting to step up their play, putting up decent numbers in their last few outings. As long as they keep it up, they should be fine come playoff time.

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 notch key win against Bulls"

LeBron James Leads Miami Heat to Come from Behind Victory Against Rockets

The Miami Heat bounced right back from their embarrassing loss to the Washington Wizards, defeating the Houston Rockets 97-88 on April 21. Unfortunately for the Heat, their win didn't mean much, as their loss to the Wizards diminished all hopes of securing the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

LeBron James suited up on Sunday, but the Rockets held their ground against the Heat, taking a five point lead into the fourth quarter. LeBron wasn't about to close out the season at the American Airlines Arena with a loss though, taking over the game in the final quarter. When it was all said and done, Heat fans showed their appreciation for "The King," chanting "M-V-P!" as the Heat superstar headed back to the locker-room.

"It was a good team win, a lot of guys stepped up," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters after the game. "It was good to have LeBron back, but a lot of guys contributed. … I think LeBron is having a historic season"

With the win, the Heat finish the 2011/12 NBA season tied with the San Antonio Spurs for the best home-record in the league.

Dwyane Wade, Mario Chalmers, and Chris Bosh were a little too banged up to suit up against the Rockets, but LeBron and a handful of role players stepped up in their absence. LeBron shot the ball well against the Rockets, converting on 11 of his 21 field goal attempts. He finished with 32 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Rookie Norris Cole broke out of his funk against the Rockets, finishing with 16 points, and 4 rebounds. The Heat also got some much needed help from Mike Miller and Joel Anthony, who finished with 11 points and 6 rebounds apiece.

Given how much the Heat's role players have struggled since the All-Star break, it's certainly nice to see them playing solid basketball. If they keep it up in the postseason, they'll be a serious force to be reckoned with.

Miami's next game will be against the Boston Celtics on April 24.

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 tallies 32 as Dwyane Wade-less Heat pull…"

Miami Heat Look for Redemption Against Celtics

The Miami Heat will try to even out their season series against the Boston Celtics, when the two Eastern Conference powerhouses meet on April 24.

A win against Boston will certainly be a morale boost for the Heat, considering how dominant the Celtics have been in the last two encounters between the two rivals. The Celtics shredded Miami's defense during the April 10 encounter between the teams, shooting 61 percent from the field.

For moment, it looked like the Heat were on their way to securing the top spot in the Eastern Conference rankings, but the Washington Wizards derailed their plans on April 21. However, the Heat bounced right back in their next game against the Houston Rockets (thanks to LeBron James' 32 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists), so they'll have a little momentum going into their game against the Celtics.

Miami guard Dwyane Wade is still recovering from his dislocated finger, and he probably won't suit up against the Celtics. Miami coach Erik Spoelstra will also try to rest some of the Heat's players, as the 2011/12 NBA season draws to an end.

"There always is [a delicate balance] this time of year for everybody," Spoelstra told reporters. "Coaching staffs secretly hope you are playing for something because it takes the decision-making out of it. We want to make sure we're playing at a high level [come the playoffs]. We've taken that step forward in the last 10 days. We want to continue to build confidence."

Miami fans might be bummed about the fact the Heat will probably have to settle for the second seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, but that might just turn out to be a blessing in disguise. If the current playoff picture holds, the Heat will have the easier road to the conference finals - compared to the Chicago Bulls and Celtics, who'll probably have to square up in the second round.

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:
Manny Navarro, "Miami Heat's Chris Bosh might suit up in one more game before playoffs"

Miami Heat Fall Short Against Boston Celtics

The Miami Heat weren't able to even out their season series against the Boston Celtics, losing 78-66 on April 24. Chris Bosh wasn't able to suit up against the Celtics due to a sprained hamstring, and Heat coach Erik Spoelstra decided to rest Dwyane Wade and LeBron James.

"We wanted to make sure going into the last week with a quick turnaround that we were ready for this weekend," Spoelstra told reporters after the game. "We had legitimate injuries. We weren't just sitting guys."
With the "big three" inactive, Miami's role players were left to take on the Paul Pierce led Celtics (Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo didn't play).

The Heat actually controlled a majority of the game, taking a six point lead into halftime. Unfortunately, they couldn't get anything going in the second half, quickly losing control of the game.

Dexter Pittman led the Heat's offense against the Celtics, finishing with 12 points and 4 rebounds. James Jones was right behind him, putting up 11 points (3-4 shooting from three-point range) and 6 rebounds.

"We made too many turnovers and they capitalized on them," Jones told reporters. "We did some good things, but just not enough so we are locked into the second seed and we are focused on trying to correct some of our mistakes as we move into the playoffs."

With the loss, the Heat will head into the playoffs with the second spot in the Eastern Conference standings. They'll probably end up facing either the New York Knicks or the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the 2012 playoffs - teams they had a lot of success against during the season.

Heading into the playoffs, I still feel good about the way Miami's defense has been playing lately, but my feelings towards the role-players are rather ambivalent. They haven't been able to consistently play well over the course of the season, and the "big three" will have to carry the team in the playoffs.

The Heat will close out the season against the Washington Wizards on April 26.

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 handle Heat as both teams play without stars"

Washignton Wizards Manhandle Miami Heat in Season Closer

The Miami Heat closed out the 2011/12 NBA season with a loss, losing 104-70 against the Washington Wizards on April 26. For the Heat, it was their worst defeat of the season, but the result of the game was completely meaningless. Still, it certainly wasn't the way the Heat would have liked to end their season, but I don't think it'll affect their morale entering into the playoffs.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra wisely decided to rest the "big three," and Miami's role players looked lost without their leaders. They simply played poor basketball against the Wizards, shooting 36 percent from the field.

By the end of the first quarter, the Wizards had built up a ten point lead, and it only got worse as the game progressed. They outscored Miami in every quarter of the game, cruising to the 34 point victory.

"If we land safely and the plane touches down in Miami, it's a victory," Shane Battier told reporters after the embarrassing loss. "That was a nasty game. Luckily no one was injured, seriously, that's what you take away from this game."

The Heat will now get two days rest before starting off the playoffs against the New York Knicks. The Heat dominated the Knicks during the regular season, winning all three encounters between the two teams by at least eight points. They shouldn't have any problems against the Knicks, and I'll be shocked if the series goes over five games.

"This will be a great first-round matchup," Spoelstra told reporters about the Heat's series against the Knicks. "The way the season's been, we couldn't expect anything other than to play after a day. We don't need more than that. We're in the same place the Knicks are in."

Even though the Heat didn't finish with the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings, things couldn't have turned out any better for them. They'll now have a relatively easy path to the conference finals, while the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics will most likely collide in the second round.

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, "Wizards trounce Heat while Big Three watch from bench"

Miami Heat Smash Knicks in Playoff Opener

The Miami Heat couldn't have asked for a better start in the playoffs, smashing the New York Knicks 100-67 on April 28.

The Heat dominated the Knicks throughout the regular season, but many still expected a competitive game on Saturday. However, the Heat quickly established their dominance in the first quarter of the game, stifling the Knicks with their defense and never letting up.

"Our guys had a noticeable look in their eyes the last 24 hours," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters after the game. "We wanted to get back to the basics and play to our identity. For the most part, we were able to do that by being aggressive."

The Knicks tried to intimidate the Heat by playing physical basketball, but that only made Miami's players more fired up. LeBron James in particular was on the receiving end of multiple hard fouls, but he responded by putting points on the board. LeBron had an incredible shooting night against the Knicks, converting on 10 of his 14 field goal attempts. By halftime, Miami fans were already raining down "M-V-P!" chants.

Dwyane Wade also played well against the Knicks, putting up 19 points and 3 assists. Chris Bosh struggled a bit against the Knicks, but he still put up respectable numbers, finishing with 9 points and 6 rebounds.

Miami's "X-factor" Mario Chalmers did his job against the Knicks, often playing the role of floor-general. Chalmers played a complete game against the Knicks, walking away with 11 points, 9 assists, and 3 steals.

Overall, the Heat played a solid game against the Knicks. Their defense was definitely impressive, and they also did a decent job of protecting the ball. However, their rebounding and free throw shooting wasn't anything special, and there is room for improvement as the series progresses.

The Heat will try to take a 2-0 lead, when the two rivals meet again on April 30.

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 throttle Knicks, take 1-0 lead"

Seattle Sounders Escape with 2-1 Win Against Fire

The Seattle Sounders FC secured their second consecutive win on April 28, defeating the Chicago Fire 2-1. With the win, the Sounders remain at the fourth spot in the MLS Western Conference standings, currently trailing the conference leading San Jose Earthquakes by six points.

The Fire actually controlled the ball better during the encounter between the two teams. But the Sounders struck first on the scoreboard, thanks to a David Estrada shot that bounced off Arne Friedrich for an own goal.

Eddie Johnson increased the Sounders lead in the second half, capitalizing on a deflected free kick by Freddy Montero.

The game intensified in the 89^th minute, when Chicago's Marco Pappa scored on a beautifully played corner-kick. The Fire had a chance to equalize during injury time, but Sounders goalkeeper Michael Gspurning stepped up under the pressure, preventing what would have been the equalizing goal.

"It's a great win for us because we only play them once and to play away and be able to get three points is important," Sounders coach Sigi Schmid told reporters after the game. "Not our best game or our most artistic game, but at the end all that matters is the result."

Midfielder Mauro Rosales made his return to the Sounders' lineup against the Fire, but things didn't go exactly as planned. Rosales suffered an ankle injury during the first half - due to a hard hit by Gonzalo Segares, forcing him to leave the game at the start of second half.

"I think the guy has something personal [against me] because the last year was the same," Rosales said about the rough tackle.

The Sounders will now head back to Seattle, where they'll host the Los Angeles Galaxy on May 2. A win against the defending champions will certainly be a morale boost for the Sounders, as they try to fight their way to the top of the MLS Western Conference table.

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:
Matt Gaschk, "Sounders Douse Fire 2-1"

Miami Heat Look to Take 2-0 Lead Against Knicks

The Miami Heat will try to take a 2-0 lead in their first round series against the New York Knicks on April 30.

The Heat completely shut-down the Knicks' offense in the first game of the series, holding them to 67 points on April 28. Given how much Miami's defense struggled during the second half of the season, it's definitely nice to see it established early in the postseason. If Game 1 was any indication of things to come, the Heat shouldn't have any problems against the Knicks, and I expect a rather brief series.

LeBron James led Miami's offense on Saturday, putting up 32 points. He did get banged up a bit during the encounter, but that won't stop him from suiting up for Game 2.

Dwyane Wade - who suited up for the first time since he dislocated his finger against the Washington Wizards on April 21 - also played well on Saturday, finishing with 19 points. Mario Chalmers did a good job of directing the Heat's offense in Game 1, and Miami fans can only hope for more of the same from the team's "X-factor."

The Heat might have manhandled the Knicks in the first game of the series, but there is certainly room for improvement. Their free throw shooting and rebounding wasn't anything special, and they'll need to make some adjustments if they want to go far in the playoffs.

"That's part of the mental challenge that you face during the playoffs whether you win or lose, to stay the course and stay objective about it," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters. "At the end of the day, yes, we did some things well in that game. But it's only one game and that's it. We have to put it behind us now. Their game plan hasn't changed. All they're trying to do is get one on our court."

Given how well the Heat have played against the Knicks all year, they should be able to impose their will on Monday.

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"

Miami Heat Improve to 2-0 Against Knicks

The Miami Heat continued their dominance on April 30, defeating the New York Knicks 104-94. With the win, the Heat now have a 2-0 lead in their first round series against the Knicks, and they'll now head out to New York for Games 3 and 4.

Miami's defense wasn't as tight as it should have been on Monday, but their offense made up for it. They quickly took control of the encounter between the two teams, cruising on to another victory.

Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and LeBron James all played well in Game 2, finishing with 25, 21, and 19 points respectively. Mario Chalmers had a solid outing as well, putting up 13 points and 6 rebounds.

The Heat also got a boost from Shane Battier and Mike Miller, who lit up the Knicks from long range. Both men went 3-5 from beyond the arc, walking away with 11 points apiece.

"Every game we try to find our shooters, get them comfortable in the offense and once they catch them, they can let it fly," LeBron told reporters after the game. "It was concerted effort tonight to get them the ball and move the ball from one side to the other. … We're tough to beat when we have everyone comfortable and everyone in rhythm, and that's what we did tonight."

As if taking a 2-0 lead in their first round series against the Knicks wasn't awesome enough, the Heat got some pretty good news after the game. Frustrated with the result of the contest, Amare Stoudemire lashed out at the glass casing covering a fire extinguisher on his way back to the locker-room, cutting himself in the process. According to reports, Stoudemire's injuries are pretty severe, and he might not be able to suit up for Game 3.

The Heat are clearly in control of their first round series against the Knicks. But it's way too early to count New York out. The Heat haven't been spectacular on the road lately, and the Knicks will be a lot harder to beat at Madison Square Garden.

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 take 2-0 lead, while Amare Stoudemire…"
Joseph Goodman, "Miami Heat defeats New York Knicks, takes 2-0 lead in series"