Was worried this would be an afternoon game, but that would be really dumb.
Nuggets finished their game first and should be in Miami well before us.
This is a team we can defend more like we defended the Knicks tonight. Gallinari is one of their only shooters, so I expect something, at least slightly, less than 19 kabooms. Lawson will give us a headache, and Faried will rebound like a monster, though.
LeBron still hasn't had a signature game, so lookout for that. Hopefully Lewis can keep it going and we get a little more out of Rio, Shane, and Ray, who may've turned an ankle tonight.
Hopes for tonight:
1. Better PG play. Only 2 assists between RioNoNo last night. Compare that to 4 TOs from them. They're not all to blame for the 18:21 ast/TO ratio, but it didn't help. Hopefully we can meet Spo's gamely goal of 12 or less TO's. While on the PG topic, Rio's 1st 3 of the season would be encouraging.
2. Better decision making from Wade. He's been forcing his offense a lot this season, with a lot of hideous results. This team doesn't need to force shots, and can eventually find a good look by swinging the ball around. Hoping for 3 TO's or less from him. Less encouraging is this (hopefully) being his first back-to-back. Gotta hope his knee responds well.
3. More active rotations. Its one thing to stand around on O and watch the dribbler pound, but to look cement-footed on D against perimeter-based teams is a recipe for disaster. Looking at you again, Dwyane. We're lucky Smith didn't have a signature vs.-Heat game last night, because Dwyane was leaving him unguarded non-stop. If you're going to help that deep, you have to be ready to jump back to your man in a second.
4. Shard keeping the groove going. We'll see how he responds to the back-to-back. Last time, not so good. Most of his misses have been long lately, so that either means his legs are nearly back or he's putting more upper body in his shot to compensate.
5. Better contributions from Haslem and Battier. Both had tough assignments last night, so their contribution was more important defensively. Still, seeing as we get so little production out of Battier, it would be nice if he could play mistake free. Really, he should never turn the ball over. The two last night were pretty awful. UD really needs to hit a jumper for his confidence. Hopefully he does and that starts the journey back to the UD of old.
6. 20+ from Bosh. He seemed to score at will in preseason. Against Boston he turned around a slow start late to get 1 point shy of 20, with LeBron off the floor. The offense should run through him when he's on the floor. He's been playing great D for the most part, so reward him on O. Its for the best for the team anyway. He had opportunities last night, but looked out of rhythm.
7. No ill-effects from Ray's tumble. He limped a little afterwards and didn't look quite right.
Digging the white warmups at home this year. The only other time I remember us doing that is 05-06. Every other year we've worn black at home and on the road.
Seeing these local commercials makes me miss the Magic City like a mofo.
UD on Tyson Chandler wasn't enough of a disaster for Spo to not try him on McGee.
I get it, though. Its early in the season and we have to check what works.
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