MIAMI – The Miami Heat have been playing better than ever during the past 10 days. Think about that. Better than ever. Last season the Heat had stretches in which they won 21 of 22 games, and 15 of 18 games. Yet this is the best stretch ever. That’s not me talking, that’s Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. The Heat are on a six-game winning streak over the past 10 days, and five of those wins were blowout victories on the road. Those
Kevin Love will be in the Three-Point Contest. The field was announced by the NBA on Wednesday, and Love is among the six gunslingers who will be hoisting on All-Star Saturday night Feb. 25. Known more for his rebounding, Love is shooting 36 percent (44-of-122) from 3-point range this season, slightly below his career mark. The All-Star forward of the Minnesota Timberwolves is participating for the first time. Also in the field are defending champion James Jones and Mario Chalmers of the Miami
Greatness up in the air
Highlight Performance: Paul Pierce, BOS– Although Pierce producing is nothing new, the 13-year veteran produced yet another outstanding night, posting 28 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocked shots. He has been on a tear the last 4 games, and he has been great in both the assists and rebounding categories. With Rondo and Allen both out with injuries, the Celtics should continue to rely on him for production, and therefore his huge production spike may not be
MIAMI – Yes, they like to run more than they did a year ago. But when you watch the Miami Heat closely it becomes apparent that one of their biggest improvements from a year ago has been in halfcourt offense. There’s much less confusion and malaise, and much more of a crisply-run, definitive, attacking game. “We’ve put a great emphasis on getting out running and being a fast-break team and getting easy points,” forward LeBron James said. “But we know there are
Highlight Performances: Chris Bosh, MIA– When Bosh first signed with the Heat, most people expected Bosh to be, well, what he has been through the first 8 games this season. He’s averaging 20 points a game, and could easily be averaging much more had he not had such a pedestrian game on the first night of the season. Bosh seems much more comfortable this season, and he stepped up in a big way in Thursday Night’s game, scoring 33 points along
MIAMI – The zone defense is killing the Miami Heat. OK, it’s not really killing the Heat. After all, they won 58 games and went to the NBA Finals last year, and so far they’re 5-1 this year. But you know what I mean. The zone is hurting the Heat badly when applied correctly by good teams. Dallas did it in the Finals last year. Boston did it this year. And on Monday, Atlanta did it well enough to defeat the Heat,