<div align="center"> <div align="center">vs. </div> <font color="DarkRed"> </font> <div align="center"><font color="Blue">The New Jersey Nets</font> (23-21) vs <font color="DimGray"><font color="Red">The Miami Heat</font> <font color="Black">(29-18)</font></font> Time: Saturday, Februrary 4th, 1:00 PM Location: <font color="Blue">Continential Airlines Arena</font> </div> <div align="center"><font color="Blue"><font color="Black">TV: Yes Network</font></font> <font color="Blue"><font color="Black"> Radio: WFAN 660 AM</font></font> </div> <font color="Blue"> </font>[div=50%]The Heat seem to be on top of thier game. They are on a four game winning streak and have won seven of thier last ten games. Shaquille O'Neal has been quite dominent in the last games. Wade has been playing as well as he has been all season. Gary Payton has been looking like the Gary Payton of old, and the bench of Miami is extremly productive. All of these factors makes Miami one of the toughest teams to beat. Projected Starters Point Guard: <font color="DeepSkyBlue"><font color="Red">Gary Payton</font> </font>[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/gary_payton.jpg[/imgl] Although he is the starter, and has been averaging almost 40 minutes per game as of late, this position should rightfully belong to Jason Williams. I have not watched any Miami games, but it seems as if Payton gets switched over to the shooting guard spot when Williams comes in to the game. Shooting Guard: <font color="Red">Dwyane Wade</font> [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/dwyane_wade.jpg[/imgl] Wade has been playing a little bit of small forward, when Miami has gone small with Payton, Williams, and Wade. He has not lost a step no matter where he has played however. We should prepare to see all of his penetration and flying in this game. Small Forward: <font color="Red">James Posey</font> [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/james_posey.jpg[/imgl] The Heat's starting small forward has been inconsistent all year long, scoring-wise. Rebouding is some thing that he has done game in an game out, averaging about 5.2 per game. Power Forward: <font color="Red">Udonis Haslem</font> [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/udonis_haslem.jpg[/imgl] Certainly not a superstar, but certainly not a shabby player, Haslem pulls down rebounds and has somewhat of a knack for shooting the ball up close. Center: <font color="Red">Shaquille O'Neal</font> [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/shaquille_oneal.jpg[/imgl] <font color="DimGray"><font color="Black">I would like to see Shaq not be injured and score the amount of point he is physically capable of scoring. This season he has averaged less than 20 points per game. I believe that he is capable on much more than that an it is just matter of his will power that he will be more dominant.</font> <font color="Red">Miami: Key To The Game</font></font><font color="Sienna"> </font> 1) Play hard and though. The Nets at the moment are very fragile physically and prefer a finese game. 2) Wade needs slice and dice his way through the entire Nets' defense. 3) Get off to a fast start and never look back. [/div]I will repeat what I wrote in the last preview: Things are not looking good for the Nets. Kidd's knee is starting to ache, Carter has a bruised back, Collins' knee is still not recoved, and McInnis is out. As much as the Nets do not want to make excuses, I think that thier physical condition disables them from even competing in this one. Projected Starters Point Guard: <font color="Blue">Jason Kidd</font> [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/jason_kidd.jpg[/imgl] I do not know how much Kidd likes to play against Gary Payton, but remember how interesting it used to be watch these two go at it. Kidd certainly has the age advantage, but Payton still has some defense left in him. Let's hope that Kidd's knee will hold up after this game. Shooting Guard: <font color="Blue">Vince Carter</font> [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/vince_carter.jpg[/imgl] Is he going to be playing defense on Wade? I sure hope not, especially since his back is still not 100%. He might end up playing defense on the bigger and more physical Posey. However, I prefer Posey to be asked to carry the scoring load than Wade. Small Forward: <font color="Blue">Richard Jefferson</font> [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/richard_jefferson.jpg[/imgl] As I suspect, Jefferson's hands will be tied with having to defend Wade. We will most likely see Carter be asked to be the energizer on the offensive end. If things are the other way around, then Jefferson will carry most of the offensive load. Power Forward: <font color="Blue">Jason Collins</font> [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/jason_collins.jpg[/imgl] Will he be placed to defend Shaq, or will Krstic be able to take care of the job? The Nets, or any team for that matter, do not want to double Shaq, because there is no urgency in doing so. All that needs to be placed on Shaq is a defender who can keep his ground. Center: <font color="Blue">Nenad Krstic</font> [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/nenad_krstic.jpg[/imgl] Krstic should have a field day in this game, due to his sweet short range jumper. Shaq never comes out to defend the shot that Krstic is the best at. It will all be a matter of what type of defense Krstic will have to play. <font color="Blue">Nets: Keys To The Game</font> <font color="Black">1) Keep Shaq to a moderate 20 points without double teaming him. 2) Make Wade work on both ends of the court. Keep him uncomfortable on offense. 3) Jefferson and Carter need to combine for a lot of offense. i.e. They need to combine into an undefendable offense. </font></div>
Great Preview Not so good news <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Feeling sick, Nenad Krstic stayed home from practice on Friday and is questionable for Saturday afternoon's game against Miami. Also, Vince Carter doesn't want to come out and say that he'd rather not go to Houston for All-Star Weekend, but he does say that he has some aches and pains he'd like to rest.</div> http://www.nj.com/newslogs/nets/index.ssf?..._02.html#110111
What a game for the Nets. They lead it all the way. I don't understand them, they can beat teams like Detroit and Miami but they end up losing to weak teams. They just can't keep consistent. Anyway great game. The numbers won't show the kind of great defense Collins played on Shaq. He cause Shaq to miss, turn the ball over and just kept him from getting hot. Kidd- 16 points 7 rebs 10 assists. Carter- 28 points, 12 rebs 10 assists Jefferson 26 points, 6 rebs Robinson- 23 points. Incredible game and I hope they can keep it up.
great game, 1st TD of his career for VC. It got kinda hot at the end of the 3rd, but a great job overall.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kobimel:</div><div class="quote_post">great game, 1st TD of his career for VC. It got kinda hot at the end of the 3rd, but a great job overall.</div> It's actually his second. That's hard to believe becuase I expected more , like 10 or so.
I read the article about how they were going to try to limit Carter, and it looks like they succeeded in doing that. However, the managed to give up 23 points to Cliff Robinson, who only averages about 6. They might as well have just let Carter have a big game like he did last time.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NbaBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">It's actually his second. That's hard to believe becuase I expected more , like 10 or so.</div> You sure? I heard it's his first on the radio...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kobimel:</div><div class="quote_post">You sure? I heard it's his first on the radio...</div> It's his first this season, second in his career.
Hmm...the Nets keep beating the best teams at home, but losing to just about everyone away. I can live with this during the regular season, but this will not do in the playoffs. Well I can't really complain either. The Nets did just beat Miami, with Shaq healthy.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting vcwannabe15:</div><div class="quote_post">Clifford Roinson stepped up and got 23 points.</div> Yea man, it's sometimes hard to tell this guy is 39 yrs old.
Not even close, don't get too excited there, this isn't even the same Heat team. Shaq is older, though still good, their's no Eddie Jones who's a better defender than anyone on the Heat right now, and was the one that made Carter innefficient offensively, and the playoffs is a whole new ball game. In the playoffs the Heat step up their defense, and improve their offense, this Nets team would still get beat, but they'll at least win.
"jigga you are not the only one good with the roc" lol i think it was mark jackson that said that didnt know he listen to rap
