The Heat played a great game as they gave the Hornets their 21st loss of the season. The Heat went on a season high 20-0 run in the 4th quarter and never looked with a final score of 94-70. The Hornets never once led the game. Eddie Jones had 24 points and went 5-7 from behind the arc which moved him up to the 20th spot on the all-time 3-point list. EJ also had 7 assists and 5 rebounds. Lamar got off to a very slow start by knocking down only one basket but redeemed himself in the second half when he hit two clutch triples to end the Hornets momentum and silence the crowd. Udonis started tonight in Brian Grants place and had a solid 20 points and almost pulled off a double double with 9 rebounds, 5 of those being on the offensive end. Here is the box score: http://www.nba.com/games/20040131/MIANOH/boxscore.html
I am impressed with Udonis Haslem. What an excellent move by the Heat to sign him; he's a diamond in the rough. Not many rookies can score twenty points and grab nine rebounds against Jamaal Magloire. I think he's underrated a lot because he's a second year rookie. Anyway, being blown out by the Heat is really strange for the Hornets. Could it be possible that Jamal Mashburn is messing with the chemistry of the team? It should be interesting to see how things go when Baron Davis comes back. Anyway, one thing stands out to me when I look at this boxscore. Robert Traylors and George Lynch combined for eleven fouls in nineteen minutes. I didn't think that was possible. Also, David West should get more playing time. Tonight he scored nine points and grabbed four rebounds in seventeen minutes.
Great game it was tonight and once again Haslem has done it. EJ and Odom provide important shots in the 4th quarter. We went to 22-3 run to close the 4h quarter.
I didn't expect the Heat to beat them that badly, if at all. But it's great to see a guy like Eddie Jones really stepping up, and the Heat actually being competitive and winning. It's refreshing. Good win. Too bad the only Hornet scoring was Monster Mash.
