Too early to start a thread? But seriously, the game will air on NBA TV at 6:30. Blazers really did a great job of forcing turnovers against the Magic while avoiding mistakes of their own(18 forced, 5 committed). That was what enabled them to take advantage of no Dwight Howard and the result was a gritty win. The Heat's recent struggles have been very well documented, so I'll leave it at that. Combined with the deathly slow pace of Portland and the excellent defense that both teams play, I would venture to say 95 will probably be enough for a win. But, you never know. I just looked at that final play from the Bulls game yet again. If it was outside the final few minutes, LeBron would have slammed that. There, however, he was just hoping for a foul to be called. Not a particularly aggressive play on his part. I thought he knew refs don't call those at the end...
The Heat will pound the snot out of the Blazers. No way Portland wins. They barely took care of business against the Magic, who didn't have Dwight Howard. The Blazers have lost their chemistry since getting Gerald Wallace. He doesn't fit in at all and that trade looks like a big mistake. The Blazers are exactly the type of above .500 team the Heat will beat. The game I'm looking forward to is the Lakers coming to town on Thursday looking for revenge. I can't see the Heat beating them right now because LA is on a roll and will be looking to blow them out in the worst way.
it's not about coming out angry. the heat have come out playing wanting to win every game since the all-star break. the effort is there. right now, it's the confidence and execution. if the heat can break out of this funk and build on that confidence, it could help them tremendously in the playoffs. people may say one game doesn't matter. it took the heat that cavs game to break out of their early season funk. however, i think the lakers game is huge. if they can beat the lakers despite all this mess they're in, it'll be a huge boost going forward. they'll beat portland with ease.
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I think both of these teams see this game as significant, for lack of a better term. Miami would definitely love to win this game as it would provide momentum heading into Thursday against a hot Lakers team, and would dispel some of the fearmongering, especially if they win tonight's game convincingly. Portland would love to get even with the Nuggets and improve their standing in a wild West. So there's incentive in this game for both teams. tmac, I agree with your point that they don't necessarily have to come out angry (really, it's not advisable), but they can't go away from what's working later. That, I believe, has been a factor when it comes down to the wire. I also agree that the effort's there, and that one game does indeed make a difference. Cleveland unraveled after the first Heat game. I hate the Heat, but I cannot deny that they are putting their best foot forward. Do they have it in them to get over the hump? As of now, I don't think so, but again, if they remain persistent, the shots will start falling at the end. But I'll enjoy their failures for now. Because when they figure it out, they will be pretty darn good. Mario Chalmers for the last shot.
I expect Miami to crush Portland. And if they lose, I'll be laughing so, so hard, even despite the hit to our playoff hopes.
The result of this game will be good either way. portland win- heat cry on national TV and have there on "the cry" session on espn. miami win- portland gets a loss and we get closer.
if the heat lose this game, they should just quit now. however, i say 80% chance the Heat will win tonight.
I hate the heat as much as the next guy, but they have alot of upcoming games against teams the Rox are trying to beat for a playoff spot - so unfortunately I think we all have to root for the little crying prima donnas this next month or so
Heat needs to crush Blazers tonight for us !!!! Heat should come with fire... they have lost quite a few in a row.. so they will try to bounce back in a big way. Feeling lucky to say that we are not playing them tonight...
I could not give less of a damn about the Heat and their antics. All I care about are the Rockets playoff chances, and lately it seems like every team ahead of us are catching breaks. Miami needs to come out and give Portland a good old-fashioned country-style beating.....one of those beatings that will have Portland spiral into an uncontrollable season-ending funk
