This is a game thread for tonights game @ Miami. I do not have the time to make a preview right now, so discuss here... I think Washington is capable of winning this game if they can: (a) Cut down on turnovers, ( Get producton off of the bench, © Play good team defense, and (d) Play team ball. They key for them is stopping Shaq or Wade, if they can stop one of them then they have a great shot at winning. It will be a good, tight game until the end IMO, and I think Washington will pull it out. I take washington 95-92
Will Kwame, and Haywood be back? If they are then move Jamison to the 3 spot, and have Kwame bang down low. Michael Ruffin has really impressed me. I think even with the return of Haywood he should still be the starter. I think Miami will win this one 97-93, the Wizards will hold their own until late in the game. My 2 cents.
<div align="center"> <font color="Red">Miami Heat</font> (2-0) @ <font color="Blue">Washington Wizards</font> (2-0) Saturday, November 6th Time: 7:00 p.m. Location: Washington TV: NBALP, CSN Previous Games: Cavs @ Heat 92-86 W Wizards @ Bobcats 103-96 W Projected Starting Lineups HEAT <font size="1">(Stan Van Gundy)</font> <font size="1">(Dwyane Wade, Eddie Jones, Rasual Butler, Udonis Haslem, Shaquille O'Neal)</font> <font size="4">VS</font> WIZARDS <font size="1">(Eddie Jordan)</font> <font size="1">(Gilbert Arenas, Larry Hughes, Jarvis Hayes, Antawn Jamison, Michael Ruffin)</font> Factors off the Bench <font size="1">(Wesley Person, Juan Dixon)</font> Game MVPs <font size="1">(Dwyane Wade, Antawn Jamison)</font></div> Brandon's Analysis Both teams are coming off wins...the Wizards over the Bobcats and the Heat over the Cavs...with neither of the two games being blowouts. However, these two teams are both in the Southeast division, and will more than likely fight it out with Orlando for the top seed, at least through mid-season. The Wizards will have to stop Shaq in this game. Ruffin won't be able to hold him in the paint, so he'll have to contest every hook and shot attempt that Shaq throws up. However, Shaq's hamstring is still bothering him, so look to see limited minutes there...with Doleac coming in and making things much easier for Ruffin. The Heat will have to rely on their shooters in this game. Gilbert Arenas will defend Wade really well, and could hold him to shooting under 45%, which may cause problems for the Heat early in the game. Although Wade is a good shooter, the Heat will have to look to Butler and Person to hit the deep shots, and use penetration to kick it back out for mid-range shots for Eddie Jones, who has been in a shooting slump since preseason. The double team will be a huge factor in this game. If used inappropriately by the Wizards, the Heat will quickly capitalize and hit shots from all points on the floor. On the other hand, the Heat should stick with their own man...because Gilbert is dangerous when close to the hoop, and will more than likely try and post up on Wade, and if the double team is used on Arenas, Hughes will go for 25+ in this game. Expect to see good numbers from Arenas and Jamison for the Wizards, and Wade and Rasual Butler for the Heat. If Shaq plays this one out, he'll pull down alot of boards against the Wizards, unless Ruffin can quickly box out, with Jamison doing the same against Udonis. Brandon's Prediction This game will be a shootout...but a defensive test against the Heat, who have yet to play such an offensive threat as the Wizards. Four players on Washington are able to score at will, so the Heat will either have to play tough-nosed defense, or go into a scoring contest...which could ultimately end the game for Miami. I say scoring will be the resolution for both teams, and the Wizards will outscore the Heat in this game in a close one at home, 96-93.
^Nice preview. 58-48 for the Heat at halftime. Wade is tearing it up. Wade: 8-11, 19 Points, 2 Rebounds, 6 Assists Arenas: 1-3, 7 Points, 2 Assists
Final score: 118-106 Miami. They squeezed by at the end with Jones' two straight threes. Dwyane wade finished with a career high 37 points, and was 2 rebounds shy of a triple-double. Shaq was held to only 12 points, and 6 rebounds. Jamison contributed 25 points, and 12 rebounds, for his first double-double as a Wizard. Arenas had a team-high 27 points, and 4 assists. Nice game by the wizards until the end. Much improvement, especially when the opposing players cut towards the hoop.
Arenas is an awful on ball defender, he just doesn't move his feet, move your feet Arenas, move your feet. I predicted the Wade domination on Arenas if Arenas didn't move his feet on defense and stop the dribble drive penetration. Even with the other bigs back, it'll just get them in foul trouble if Arenas allows Wade to get in there. Ruffin is probably a better shot blocker than Haywood, and Kwame wasn't blocking many shots last year because of fouls. Wade knows how to score when he get's inside and over big men, he's done it on about every team in the league last season, and it's no different now exepct he has more shooters to pass to when he drives. Both Arenas and Wade had 7 turnovers, that's always nice, but I expected Wade to have trouble with the Wizards backcourt players pressing defense, but their man to man defense can't handle him, well Arenas' can't. Arenas was switched to Jones in the end, and then Jones scores 5 points, geez.
OG you're right, Arenas allowed far too much penetration. However, after the first half I did notice improvement. This is when the Heat resorted to setting screens to free up Wade. Arenas needs to fight through these more effectively. Having only one ready 'Big' against Shaq killed us when Ruffin fouled out. I thought we would have been better off sending the rooke Ramos to the wolves than the frail Jared 'ouch my back' Jeffries. At least at 7'3" he would have been able to prevent Miami from having offensive rebound heaven.
He just needs to move his feet, it's not like hes incapable, sometimes you'll see him play good defense for like one posession, but many times he just doesn't move enough. He has the fundamentals, but he doesn't use them. Even without screens though, Wade was still taking him, the thing is that on the other end Wade can't check Gil either, but Gil doesn't have the length to score inside like Wade does. I think Gil wanted to throw one down yesterday when he drove, he's one guy with underatted athleticism in terms of jumping ability, he can get up there.
Miami plays Washington again today @ 7pm EST. More info here - http://www.justbball.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26928
We commited way too many costly turn overs. Gilbert had 6 turnovers, and didn;t seem to have his head in the game for the first half. Jamison struggled only putting up 14 points on 6-18 shooting from the field. Atleast we saw what Ramos could do with garbage time. He put up 6 points in 5 minutes, and had one monster put back slam. Miami shot lights out in the third quarter. They put up 37 points in the 3rd quarter.
