<div align="center"> @ <font color="Navy"><font color="Navy"> New Jersey Nets @ Miami Heat TV: ABC Venue: American Airlines Arena Date: Sunday, April 24th. TipOff time: 3:15 PM est</font></font> <font color="Red">- Starting LineUps</font> <font color="Black">The Nets:</font> <font size="1">Jason Kidd-Vince Carter-Brian Scalabrine-Nenad Kristic-Jason Collins</font> <font color="Black">6th Man:</font> <font size="1">Richard Jefferson</font> <font color="Black">Coach:</font> <font size="1">Lawrence Frank</font> Team Leaders: <font face="Comic Sans MS">Scoring:V.Carter-27.5 Rebounds:J.Kidd-7.4 Assists:J.Kidd-8.3 FG%:N.Krstic-49.3% FT%:T.Best-88.5% 3PT%:V.Carter-42.5% Blk:J.Collins-0.9 Steals:J.Kidd-1.9 </font> With RJ back, no body can predict how'll that effect the Nets who are on a tare and have one 12 of their last 14 games. If Jefferson can accept the role of coming off the bench or a role player, at least for the first couple of games until he gets in form, that'll help them big time. Carter and Kidd are jelling at an extreme level right now, and Nets fans don't want anything to disturp them. <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="7">.......</font></font> The Heat: <font size="1"><font face="Comic Sans MS">Damon Jones-Dwyane Wade-Eddie Jones-Udonis Haslem-Shaquille O'Neal</font></font> 6th Man: <font size="1"><font face="Comic Sans MS">Alonzo Mourning</font></font> Coach: <font size="1"><font face="Comic Sans MS">Stan Van Gundy</font></font> Team Leaders: <font face="Comic Sans MS">Scoring:D.Wade-24.1 Rebounds:S.O'Neal-10.4 Assists:D.Wade-6.8 FG%:S.O'Neal-60.1% FT%:S.Anderson-81.8% 3PT%:D.Jones-43.2% Blk:S.O'Neal-2.3 Steals:D.Wade-1.6 </font> <font color="Red"><font size="1">Injuries: Shaquille O'Neal - Deeply Bruised Thigh (Questionable)</font></font> <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="7">.......</font></font> <font color="Red">Keys To The Game:</font> <font face="Comic Sans MS">- Body Up The Big 3</font> Kidd and RJ are not 100%, and VC doesn't like physical defence. The EJ, DJ, Flash, Shanon and Keyon must play all three physically and not allow them to get to their comfort spots. Also, when Carter is posting up, you can't send the double team off Kidd, he has been burying the open threes all year. <font face="Comic Sans MS">- Transition Defence:</font> Nets do a tremendous job in transition where they get most of their easy baskets. Kidd has been setting everyone up for open shots and now teams can't cheat off of him after he improved his jumper. Heat must contest all shots in transition and eliminate the open layups and dunks. <font face="Comic Sans MS">- Bench Play:</font> Neither team has a deep bench, but with Shaq being banged up and Eddie not getting his shot todrop in, the Heat reserves will be very important in this series, and they must produce. <font face="Comic Sans MS">- Mental Edge:</font> This is a 1-8 Matchup. Miami have been dominating all season, and the way they cooled off the last two weeks of the season can't be a good sign. However, they must come out strong and hungry and stick it to NJ early on. They can't let the Nets feel they can this series. They have too many weapons who can take a game over at any given night. <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="7">.......</font></font> <font color="Red">Game Matchup:</font> vs Vince Carter vs Dwyane Wade Wade is arguebly Van Gundy's best defender and you're going to see him on Carter very often, specially when Vince is operating in the post. Defensively, Flash must play him physical get under his skin. VC proved many times that when he's checked by a physical defender, he'll opt for the fade away jumpers and stops driving hard to the basket. Doleac, 'Zo, and Leatner should play him physical as well when he takes it to the basket and not give him the easy bucket. Offencively, Flash should take anyone guarding himto the rack. No body can check him, including Kidd, so he should agressive and unreluctant to take what the defence gives him. <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="7">.......</font></font> <font color="Green">The X-Factor:</font> Shaquille O'Neal Coming in this game, Shaq's status is questionable with a bruised thigh. He practiced Friday and said to be ready despite the lack of mobility. Miami's hopes hang on Shaq in this series and the rest of the way. If he can come in and just be the presence he is, and not be a liability defencively, that'll be a big boost for SVG. If he's unable to run the floor at his normal pace, Lawrence Frank will try to take advantage of that in teh fast break and Pick 'n Rolls. Shaq's health is the determining factor for Miami to sweep the series or end up on the other side of the year's biggest upsets. <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="7">.......</font></font> <font color="Red">Say What?! (Prediction)</font> With RJ back, I think New Jersey will make it an interesting game and will give Miami some troubles. However, I really think Shaq and Wade are hungry and determined to win it all this season. Heat win, 97-84. <font size="1">Watch Out!</font> <font face="Comic Sans MS"><font size="7">.......</font></font> </div>
Good preiview. I like both teams but Im cheering for the underdog. Taking everything into considerestion the Heat should win. But if the Nets want a chance i think one of thr keys will be colins. If collins can hit his jumper consistantly it will force shaq to guard him wich would open up lanes for VC, RJ and Kidd. If Collins plays soft the Nets wont have a chance. Its funny how just a role players simple ability to hit open jumpers can make that team so much better. But GL Heat.
If Dwyane can keep Vince in check then it's good for the Heat, they shouldnt have too many other problems. Ofcourse the Heat have the advantage inside, but I think Haslem is going to take Krstic apart, Haslem is just too much better than Krstic. Heat should go 4-1 against the Nets but I'm predicting a 101-87 win for the Heat this game.
I think the heats got this one because of Shaq and Wade but it is going to be pretty hard to stop vince carter and Jason kid.
Wade has been spectacular so far. He's attacked the rim and has been rewarded by getting fouled. The jump sot he hit at the end of the first quarter was huge. I'm looking for Shaq to explode in the second half. He already has 6 points. Nenad Kristic has been hitting the open jump shots and hurting us. Carter has also been throwing some very nice passes to set his teammates up. My prediction Heat win 95-83.
I'm impressed with Miami's transition defense in this game. The Nets have not been able to run the fast breaks, and the Heat are too, big for the Nets to get easy baskets in the half-court set. Christian Laettner is giving the Heat some nice minutes off the bench and is doing a nice job of trapping kid up top, forcing him to give up the basketball. The combination of Kidd & VC shooting 3 out of 14 better improve in the 2nd half, otherwise it's going to be blow out city.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm impressed with Miami's transition defense in this game. The Nets have not been able to run the fast breaks, and the Heat are too, big for the Nets to get easy baskets in the half-court set. Christian Laettner is giving the Heat some nice minutes off the bench and is doing a nice job of trapping kid up top, forcing him to give up the basketball. The combination of Kidd & VC shooting 3 out of 14 better improve in the 2nd half, otherwise it's going to be blow out city.</div> Honestly, Iam not trying to knock the Heat by this comment Iam about to make because they killed my Nets from 2nd quarter really on.... But their (Heat) transition defense was never really tested. The Nets defense was so bad they could never get any consistent stops inorder to create opencourt opportunities. I still think Jersey can get some things done on the opencourt against them cause Miami's bigs Shaq, Zo etc dont get back up the floor that quickly converting from offense to defense. But New Jersey has to get stops and rebound for them ever to have the opportunity.
Bravo I know it's game 1 but we did great. Damon Jones was the star today. DWade only did what he was supposed to do but oh man DJ was crazy shooter today. Props to the whole HEAT squad. Now, would it be wise if I go to see the NJ vs. Heat on Thursday in NJ wearing Heat jersey No.3? My friends got 2 tickets and he offered me 1 but I'm doubting if i can come home alive!
