<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.
One mistake, Kwame isn't back, and Haywood is serving his last game of suspension, so the Wiz are going to have Ruffin starting at the 5 again. I'm excited to see the battle between Wade and Arenas. Wade should have a good day if Arenas doesn't move his feet on defense, he should be getting in the lane and making things happen, but on the other end, Wade will have a had time keeping up with Arenas. Wade is still only a mediocre on ball defender, and Arenas' quickness will be a big test for him. Wade will also have to watch out for Arenas, Hughes and Dixon's pressure defense, if they get the press on him in the fullcout, he might struggle because he doesn't have Odom to assist him on bringing it up, and with Eddie and Rasual out there, they won't provide much ball handling help. The Wizards will struggle inside without any big man over 6'10, and their center being only 6'8. Shaq will walk all over Ruffin even if he's slightly injured. Their will have to be a lot of double teams and help defense on Shaq to have him not blow up at least while he's on the floor. Hughes will have a good matchup against Eddie Jones, Hughes defensive intensity and athleticism will give him a good matchup against EJ, and EJ won't be able to overpower Hughes as he isn't that big himself. Miami takes this one 98-95 in a very close game, and Wiz don't score 100 points Shaq's line: 27 points [10-14], some free throws, 14 rebounds, 2 blocks Wade: 19 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 turnovers Jamison: 23 points [7-17], 7 rebounds Arenas: 24 points [10-22], 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 turnovers, 3 steals
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">One mistake, Kwame isn't back, and Haywood is serving his last game of suspension, so the Wiz are going to have Ruffin starting at the 5 again. I'm excited to see the battle between Wade and Arenas. Wade should have a good day if Arenas doesn't move his feet on defense, he should be getting in the lane and making things happen, but on the other end, Wade will have a had time keeping up with Arenas. Wade is still only a mediocre on ball defender, and Arenas' quickness will be a big test for him. Wade will also have to watch out for Arenas, Hughes and Dixon's pressure defense, if they get the press on him in the fullcout, he might struggle because he doesn't have Odom to assist him on bringing it up, and with Eddie and Rasual out there, they won't provide much ball handling help. The Wizards will struggle inside without any big man over 6'10, and their center being only 6'8. Shaq will walk all over Ruffin even if he's slightly injured. Their will have to be a lot of double teams and help defense on Shaq to have him not blow up at least while he's on the floor. Hughes will have a good matchup against Eddie Jones, Hughes defensive intensity and athleticism will give him a good matchup against EJ, and EJ won't be able to overpower Hughes as he isn't that big himself. Miami takes this one 98-95 in a very close game, and Wiz don't score 100 points </div> I don't know what I was thinking in this preview. I forgot about both Kwame and Haywood...so now my prediction is messed up. I'll fix it. EDIT: Nevermind about the prediction...I don't believe Shaq will play very many minutes in this game. I've still got the Wizards winning.
well so far... my man Wade is doing godly... bu tit's a close game at 86-84... Heat blew a 10 point lead... Shaq isn't playing much at all, but Wade's making up for it. The Wizards can't seem to stop Wade, he's scoring almost at will. Last I checked in start of 4th he has 32 pts, 9 assists 5 rebounds 10-15 shooting, 1 steal, 11-13 FT. And realdeal said he'd never be as good as Kobe.... Wade is proving all the haters time after time. This year is his year, not Brons or Melos. GO WADE, your my idol
Sorry, gotta post this... Udonis Haslem had a great game but I know it'll go unnoticed. He's quietly doing really good.. almost triple double status!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Mr.Wade:</div><div class="quote_post">well so far... my man Wade is doing godly... bu tit's a close game at 86-84... Heat blew a 10 point lead... Shaq isn't playing much at all, but Wade's making up for it. The Wizards can't seem to stop Wade, he's scoring almost at will. Last I checked in start of 4th he has 32 pts, 9 assists 5 rebounds 10-15 shooting, 1 steal, 11-13 FT. And realdeal said he'd never be as good as Kobe.... Wade is proving all the haters time after time. This year is his year, not Brons or Melos. GO WADE, your my idol</div> I'm not a Wade-hater. If I was, I'd be saying he's garbage. However, he isn't as good as Kobe. If you believe so, then you would've been saying that he is in the Top 5 in the other thread...because Kobe is. Wade has been amazing, but he's no Kobe...simple as that. There's no need to bring it up in this thread, anyways.
Sorry real deal, I never said he's better than Kobe. But I said he could become better in the future which I think in my opinon he will... tonights game was a masterpierce, a flash of his greatness in his sophomore year. 11-16 FG% 14-16 FT 37 PTS 12 ASSISTS 8 REBOUNDS 1 STEAL 1 3pt He.... is... the.... franchise....
See, Dwyane Wade is awesome. His stats are off the charts for being a second-year player, and he shoots great...but when Shaq gets healthy, he won't be putting up those numbers anymore, and that's why I said that I hope Shaq doesn't get the credit for "making" Wade into a star, because Wade is fully capable of doing it himself. That's all I'm saying.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting heatfan:</div><div class="quote_post"> WHAT A GAME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 37 POINTS 12 ASSISTS 8 REBOUNDS 7 TURNOVERS DWYANE FREAKING WADE </div> I have to agree what with those stats they are good its just that he shouldnt have 7 turnovers thats way too much .
Well, I'm sure Wade would rather exchange Numbers for Wins... they had trouble against the Wizards without Shaq. When Shaq was in, they went on good runs to get a lead. I would also exchance numbers for wins. P.S - He got 7 TOs cause he was the lone star. He carrie dit all the time, he put the team on his back. He was the go to guy and who the Wiz tried to stop but coulnd't. And it wasn't just good stats, they were CRAZY. Specially for a 2nd year player.
Whoo, I'm lovin this! Forget LBJ and Melo, Wade's blowing up so far! He's posting MVP caliber numbers....that's amazing. I hope he keeps this up. I don't know why Shaq is so quite in terms of production right now. I know he's kind of banged up but I was expecting higher stats for him so far in the season. Maybe he just wants to let Wade explode. Good job, D-Wade. This is for all the Lebron and Melo-loving analysts out there. Bosh and Wade are proving thier worth this year. They were definetly the sleepers of last year's draft.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">See, Dwyane Wade is awesome. His stats are off the charts for being a second-year player, and he shoots great...but when Shaq gets healthy, he won't be putting up those numbers anymore, and that's why I said that I hope Shaq doesn't get the credit for "making" Wade into a star, because Wade is fully capable of doing it himself. That's all I'm saying.</div> Can't happen, because Wade already made his name in the post-season, and if you really payed very very close attention last season, he was doing real good if not for constant injuries. Could've shot 50% last season even. Let's not go crazy though, Arenas' on ball defense is horrible, and that might be sparing him a little, it's extremely bad. He let's every other PG get by him, and the Wizards were still weak in their frontline. If the Wizards had all their bigs, Wade would've gotten about 25 because Arenas would still allow him in the lane, but with the shortened front line, he just dominated them. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">P.S - He got 7 TOs cause he was the lone star. He carrie dit all the time, he put the team on his back. He was the go to guy and who the Wiz tried to stop but coulnd't. </div> He got 7 turnovers because the Wizards started pressuring him when they were making their run, they couldn't do anything else, but the pressure allowed them to get back in the game. I predicted 5 turnovers from him because of the Wiz's backcourt harrasment, but 7 is reasonable too as I though Shaq would play more.
As this team grows, so will the fear in the eyes of the East. The D will improve with chemistry during the season. And one thing we will see here that we havent seen in a long time, is a Heat team that will put up some points. As long as we can stay healthy, I believe this team will hit its peek and be very successful in the playoffs. As far as the Wade vs Kobe comparisons, there is none. I would take Wade over Kobe, for the simple fact that Wade plays a complete game and is a professional. Kobe is an incredible player and I like his play a lot, but Wade brings everything to this team. His fierce play and knowledge of the game well beyond his age really makes him stick out from the rest of the youngsters in the NBA. Im not saying that Wade is a better player, all Im saying is that I would prefer to have him on my team.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheNextJordan8:</div><div class="quote_post">I have to agree what with those stats they are good its just that he shouldnt have 7 turnovers thats way too much .</div> Always someone who doesn't give credit that he deserves. Always someone to bring up bad part of the good game. Like Kobe never turns ball over....
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting pb1300:</div><div class="quote_post">As this team grows, so will the fear in the eyes of the East. The D will improve with chemistry during the season. And one thing we will see here that we havent seen in a long time, is a Heat team that will put up some points. As long as we can stay healthy, I believe this team will hit its peek and be very successful in the playoffs. As far as the Wade vs Kobe comparisons, there is none. I would take Wade over Kobe, for the simple fact that Wade plays a complete game and is a professional. Kobe is an incredible player and I like his play a lot, but Wade brings everything to this team. His fierce play and knowledge of the game well beyond his age really makes him stick out from the rest of the youngsters in the NBA. Im not saying that Wade is a better player, all Im saying is that I would prefer to have him on my team.</div> Kobes not a Proffesional? lol and for the post under youres i didint bring anytihng negative out i just pointed out the true numbers. And talking about negativity you guys are the ones allways bringing out the negative of everything the Lakers do or Kobe does.
Stop turning this into a Kobe bashing thread. Let's focus on 1 thing, how good Wade did.... no more negatives! He got what he got, who cares about onball defense or whatever the Wizard had. Wade exploited their weaknesses, and won while Shaq played only 20 minutes. It was pretty much Wade vs the Wizards. Wade prevailed... Sophomore of the Year!!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheNextJordan8:</div><div class="quote_post">I have to agree what with those stats they are good its just that he shouldnt have 7 turnovers thats way too much .</div> Here Here's a proof for everyone to see who brought the negative fact of tonight's game. I don't see anyone else bashing before this thread by TheNextJordan8
Wade broke 3-4 stat categories in his career this game. oh and btw...EJs back...9-12 FG (85%) 5-7 3PTers (85%) (3 of 3PTers were in the final minutes of the 4th qtr) Udonis Haslem was mr. clutch and intangibles. He hade some huge clutch boards in the final minutes , drew 2 key off. fouls, made 2 important FGs and FTs and other intangibles
