Who: <font color="teal">New Orleans Hornets</font> and <font color="red">Miami Heat</font> Where: American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida When: Tuesday, March 16th Time: 7:30 pm Eastern Time TV: NBALP, Sunshine <u>Records:</u> <font color="teal">Hornets (35-31, 3rd in Central Division)</font> <font color="red">Heat (29-37, 4th in Atlantic Division)</font> <u>Likely Starters</u> <u>Key Matchups</u> These former backcourt mates now play the same position, and each is depended on by his team to fill it up with points. Of course, Jones takes more shots per game than Wesley, but whoever gets the better of this matchup will give his team a big chance to win. This battle is purely about rebounds. Lamar Odom and P.J. Brown ought to cancel out, so whoever wins this matchup should determine which team controls the paint. <u>Keys to the Game</u> <font color="teal">Hornets</font> - Don't let Dwyane Wade get hot. Controlling him should dampen the pace of the Heat, who seem to feed off of his energy. Wade is easily one of the top three rookies in the league right now, and for good reason: his speed and natural scoring knack make for a dangerous combo. - Force Lamar Odom to carry the frontcourt scoring. Scoring comes fairly easy for the Heat's backcourt, with Wade, Jones and Rafer Alston all capable of putting it in the whole. But when Caron Butler and Brian Grant get going, the Heat are truly nasty. Odom is capable of taking more shots, but when he does the Heat aren't as good; they're better when he's combining shot taking with playmaking. <font color="red">Heat</font> - Control Baron Davis. This is the key for every team, and its not any different with the Heat. However, they're more capable than most teams of checking him, with quick guards like Wade and Alston to match up with him. - Move the ball around. The Heat have so many great passers, and several solid offensive weapons, but none of that counts if they don't make the effort to move the ball. - Work a 3-2 zone: the Hornets usually keep two men down low, and three shooters near the perimeter, so this could quite easily be the best way to check them. Starman's Prediction: This could be a great game, with both teams capable of running and gunning or settling into a defensive war of attrition. Emotions should run high, since Jones and Brown(and Mashburn, though he's injured) were traded for each other several years ago, and both teams have been rivals since entering the league together 16 years ago. Still, the Hornets are a more solid team, whereas the Heat are younger and not as experienced. I have a feeling that the Heat will really challenge the Hornets though. Hornets by 4.
This will be a tough matchup and Baron will produce like always, but if the others step it up it should be a win. Watch out for Wade, and Caron Butler has been on fire lately. I say the Hornets take this one by 5, big game from Magloire and Baron is needed again.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">This will be a tough matchup and Baron will produce like always, but if the others step it up it should be a win. Watch out for Wade, and Caron Butler has been on fire lately. I say the Hornets take this one by 5, big game from Magloire and Baron is needed again.</div> Well their was no Magloire to produce since he got ejected, but so did Odom. The Heat never trailed in the game and even though the Hornets got close Wade and Butler sealed the deal. Like I said, Baron will be big, and Wade and Butler are the guys to look out for, and thats exactly what happened. Baron finished with 29 points (9-22 FG, 5-11 3PT), 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Baron's assist numbers have dropped drastically lately because no one but him is making shots anymore. Armstrong scored 14 points (5-9) and was 4-7 from downtown. No other Hornet was impressive in this game. Dwyane Wade like I warned scored 23 points (8-16 FG, 8-8 FT), had 7 rebounds and 6 steals. Him Alston and Butler were the catalysts that sealed this game for the Heat bringing them deeper into playoff contention. Caron Butler scored 20 points (7-16) for the Heat and made his 4th 3-pointer of the season, 2 games in a row with a 3-point shot made now. He also pulled down 7 rebounds and dished out 2 assists. Rafer Alston was again a spark for the Heat, wheter starting or coming off the bench he's always bringing it. Alston scored 17 points (7-13), and he was 3-7 from long range, he set a Heat record for 34 games straight with a three pointed made. Alston also had 6 rebounds and 4 assists and has been a big part of the Heat's playoff push. Rasual Butler scored 7 points on 3-5 shooting and was 1-2 from long range.
Well, the loss hurt the Hornets, who are trying to retain homecourt ad for the first round. The combo of Wade and Odom was very impressive, and probably what the Heat envisioned when they drafted Wade to build for the future. This is a combo that can work together for years to come, and I hope they aren't split up.
The Heat are honestly are a much better team than their record suggests. Their team chemistry is finally blossoming and the future of this team will only continue to rise.
Too much turmoil on the team, they need to get rid of Mashburn, and the building blocks need to be Baron (already is), Magloire, and David West who should be starting in a year or two because P.J. isn't young anymore.
I agree that West should be starting soon, and that he'll put up solid numbers. In not even 15 minutes a game right now he's putting up 4 and 4, so with 30-35 he should easily get a double double to go with Magloire's. But the Hornets don't need to dish Mash, not yet. He's solid when he's healthy, and is a natural leader. I think that Wesley is underrated as being a solid contributor as well. Both of those guys will continue to do well for a couple more years, but I don't think it will be an issue, because the Hornets aren't going to regularly make the playoffs in the west. They'll be looking at some lottery picks in the upcoming years despite having .500 level seasons. I think they need to build at the 3 and the 4, and hopefully Courtney Alexander can develop into a nice stop gap until a more permanent solution is found.
Yea, I like Wesley, but Mash and Wesley aren't too young so we do need guys that can come in and take the roles later. I think the 4 and 5 are pretty good with West, Magloire, PJ, and Tractor (lose weight buddy). A taller big man might be needed to backup Magloire though. I'm also hoping Alexander can become something good, he has upside, but the injuries are killer. We need to look into getting another 3, as a backup right now, and as a starter later when Magloire leaves. Rodney White?, or we can wait till we get lottery in the West and pick one up
