<div align="center"> </div> Game: <font color="royalblue"><u>Memphis Grizzlies (8-12)</u></font> @ <font color="red"><u>Miami Heat (13-7)</u></font> Date: Monday 12/10/04 Time: 7:30pm EST Channel: NBALP, Sunshine Network (Florida), FSO (Tennessee) Live Boxscore: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/boxscore?gid=2004121014<div align="center"> <font color="royalblue"><u>Memphis Grizzlies Starting Lineup</u></font><font size="1"> Head Coach Mike Fratello Backcourt PG-Earl Watson SG-Mike Miller Frontcourt SF-Shane Battier PF-Pau Gasol C-Lorenzen Wright 6th Man James Posey</font></div> <div align="center"><font color="red"><u>Miami Heat Starting Lineup</u></font><font size="1"> Head Coach Stan Van Gundy Backcourt PG-Damon Jones SG-Dwyane Wade Frontcourt SF-Eddie Jones PF-Udonis Haslem C-Shaquille O'Neal 6th Man Rasual Butler</div> <div style="padding-left: 20px;">Note: SVG made a lineup change by putting Rasual Butler on the bench, moving Eddie Jones to SF, Dwyane Wade to SG, and Damon Jones to starting PG. SVG commented and said this lineup is only situational and will adjust the lineup to best match the opposition's lineup. Rasual had 31 minutes coming off the bench and is looking to earn the title of being the Heat's 6th Man when this lineup goes in effect. When this lineup isn't in effect, expect DJ to be the 6th Man.</div></font> <div align="center"><font color="Red">Heat Keys to the Game</font></div> <ul>[*]Keep em off the glass/Attack the glass: The Grizzlies Frontcourt combine to average 20rpg. The Heat did a poor job of boxing out and losing defensive rebounds to the Bucks in their last game which lead to second chance points for the Bucks. At the same time, the Heat need to be attacking the offensive boards for second chance points. All good teams can grab offensive rebounds and the Heat need to start doing the same. If they can win the rebound game they are half way to the W. [*]Protect the paint: The Grizzlies averaged 43pts in the paint. SVG preaches to protect the paint and the Heat system is designed to protect the paint. It seems they will have their work cut out for them and have their system put to the test. Holding the Grizzlies to below 30pts and forcing them to shoot jumpers increases the Heat's chances of winning [*]Stay out of foul trouble: The Heat have been struggling with foul trouble as of lately. In the last 3-4 games they've had 3-4 starters with 3 fouls in the second quarter which makes it extremely difficult to win a game. Need another example? In the Bucks game, Shaq only logged 23 minutes and Eddie Jones 31 minutes, both with 5 PFs and 3 before the 2nd half. If the Heat want to win more games they will have to learn to stay out of foul trouble. [*]Play with intensity and energy: The Heat played with intensity and energy and were finally able to snap their .500 streak. But that doesn't mean that they have shown consistancy to do so. Infact, they still have a long way to go as far as proving that they can give it their all for the remainder of the season. Until they prove that they can do that, it will continue to be one of their keys to the game.[/list] <div align="center"><font color="green">Miami Heat Fantasy Advice</font></div> <ul>[*]Eddie Jones Fantasy Stock: Before I say anything, I just want you to know that I am not telling you to trade for EJ. With that out of the way, in my league, there was someone who was in last place and posted that he is willing to trade anyone on his team. One of those players was Eddie Jones. Then I started thinking: "With EJ's slump, his Fantasy Stock must be so low that I can probably trade the worst player in my team (or one of the top 3 worst at most) and still acquire him". And that is what I am attempting to do. I'm betting that EJ has been in a slump so long that his Stock is so low and that he is bound to come out of it some time, hopefully sooner than later. I posted some stats for you to compare and get an idea of how bad EJ is doing now and how good EJ can do when he gets out of his slump (plus the increase in offensive stats that everyone benifits from Shaq and Wade): <div align="center"></div> [*]Keep an eye on Rasual Butler: Again, I am not telling you to trade for Rasual or pick him up from FA. With that out of the way, DJ is not the only one that seems to be benefiting from the lineup changes made. Rasual seems to be more comfortable coming off the bench as the 6th Man and is not doing bad. Here are the stats he posted: <div align="center"></div> These stats aren't something to brag about but they are a step in the right direction for someone who's been struggling as a starter and possibly the best stats he's put up since his first 3 games. I don't expect him to do great but, if he can continue improving, he could be worth dropping the worst player on your team and picking him up from FA. I'll keep you updated on how whether if he is worth picking up but for now, if he can have a pretty good game against the Grizzlies, this could be a sign of good things to come from Rasual.[/list]
Heat need to win this one. This West team isn't very tough...plus, they are missing J-Will. Heat by six, 98-92. Wade - 25 pts, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 fouls Shaq - 18 pts, 14 rebounds, 1 assist, 5 fouls
