Close one all the way in D.C. Miami won the 4Q and thus the game. Like to see that. Like to see winning the 4th especially on the second of a back-to-back on the road. This wasn't about match ups good or bad. Grit, determination. Mental toughness. Last night had to be a total bummer. "What's in it for us if we try tonight against Washington? A four game sweep by the "Bucks." Can't beat that team. Can't beat that team no how, no way." How do you not think like that? Because "Heat Culture" won't let you, at least not in March.
That game about eliminates the "Bullets." They are 6 1/2 games behind Miami and Miami occupies the last street in Middletown that is Playoff Way. D.C. is a bad team, firmly ensconced in the Lottery Project, but there is bad and then there's Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland and New York, collectively No Hope City, the only four teams in the Least with under 30 wins. "Projectiles" are right at 30 on 11th Place.
Orlando won last night, Miami tonight, the two have played an equal number of games and Miami has a one game lead.
I like what Eric Spoelstra did tonight, going back to the starting five that he used last night and for the last several games, Olynyk, Jones, Jr., Adebayo in the middle, Waiters and Richardson on the wings. Those are going to be the starters and the rest yinz just accept it and like it. I do blame Spoelstra for not settling on a starting lineup before the 60th game or so. It destabilized the roster, caused hard feelings, produced uncertainty, it did no good, only bad, and there was no reason for it. He's had these guys for three years now.
I don't like who Miami won the game with. That would be Dwyane Wade. He scored a team high 20 on 9/16 shooting, had 9 rebounds and 5 assists in 28 minutes. He's Miami's best player and I don't like it because what are they going to do next year when they don't have him. This could be as good as this team gets!
D-Wade was not alone. Dion had 19 on 7/13 (4/9) in 27". Bam Adebayo was pretty close to a triple double tonight, he had a tremendous game 16 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 blocks. Goodness, what a game the second year guy had. He's Eric's center, Hassan only played five minutes off the bench tonight.
J-Rich had a good game, played a team high 39", 18, 6/12 (2/7), 5 assts.
Queen Charlotte beat Boston tonight down there. That's two in a row for the "Buzzers." I don't know what's wrong with Boston. They had a 9 point lead after 3 and got BLOWN OUT in the 4th 35-19 to lose by 7. Blown out in the 4th by Charlotte. Inexcusable by Boston, tremendous win for Charlotte. Charlotte is not out of it! They are 2 1/2 behind Miami with a game in hand. Not great but not out of it.
New Jersey won at LAL last night, play in Rip City Monday night. "Nyets" are on 7th Place 1 1/2 games ahead of Miami who have a game on them. 7th Place is reachable for Miami. Can they grasp what is within reach? Who would Miami play if they finished 7th? Tonto. Not gonna beat them either.
Goddamn Zollner Pistons are leading Portland 99-96 half way through 4Q out there. Portland's a goddamned good basketball team, they've won 7 more games than Fort Wayne playing in the Big Boys League out West. They are +2 on Miami in 6th pending tonight's finish. They'll either be + 2 1/2 or +1 1/2 and will have a game in hand. Who...? Philly. We did that last year. It didn't work out.
No matter where Miami realistically finishes they're looking at a 4-zip or 4-1 K.O. out of the 'Loffs in the first round. Congratulations. But I'm not ending this post on such a cynical note. Tonight's win over a decently bad team on the road, on the second game in two nights, with the same starting five and a predictable and productive rotation, with young Bam Adebayo's tremendous game, winning the game in the 4th, that is as inspiring as a resident of 8th Place gets. Sincere congratulations. Sincerely impressive.
Good night.
That game about eliminates the "Bullets." They are 6 1/2 games behind Miami and Miami occupies the last street in Middletown that is Playoff Way. D.C. is a bad team, firmly ensconced in the Lottery Project, but there is bad and then there's Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland and New York, collectively No Hope City, the only four teams in the Least with under 30 wins. "Projectiles" are right at 30 on 11th Place.
Orlando won last night, Miami tonight, the two have played an equal number of games and Miami has a one game lead.
I like what Eric Spoelstra did tonight, going back to the starting five that he used last night and for the last several games, Olynyk, Jones, Jr., Adebayo in the middle, Waiters and Richardson on the wings. Those are going to be the starters and the rest yinz just accept it and like it. I do blame Spoelstra for not settling on a starting lineup before the 60th game or so. It destabilized the roster, caused hard feelings, produced uncertainty, it did no good, only bad, and there was no reason for it. He's had these guys for three years now.
I don't like who Miami won the game with. That would be Dwyane Wade. He scored a team high 20 on 9/16 shooting, had 9 rebounds and 5 assists in 28 minutes. He's Miami's best player and I don't like it because what are they going to do next year when they don't have him. This could be as good as this team gets!
D-Wade was not alone. Dion had 19 on 7/13 (4/9) in 27". Bam Adebayo was pretty close to a triple double tonight, he had a tremendous game 16 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 blocks. Goodness, what a game the second year guy had. He's Eric's center, Hassan only played five minutes off the bench tonight.
J-Rich had a good game, played a team high 39", 18, 6/12 (2/7), 5 assts.
Queen Charlotte beat Boston tonight down there. That's two in a row for the "Buzzers." I don't know what's wrong with Boston. They had a 9 point lead after 3 and got BLOWN OUT in the 4th 35-19 to lose by 7. Blown out in the 4th by Charlotte. Inexcusable by Boston, tremendous win for Charlotte. Charlotte is not out of it! They are 2 1/2 behind Miami with a game in hand. Not great but not out of it.
New Jersey won at LAL last night, play in Rip City Monday night. "Nyets" are on 7th Place 1 1/2 games ahead of Miami who have a game on them. 7th Place is reachable for Miami. Can they grasp what is within reach? Who would Miami play if they finished 7th? Tonto. Not gonna beat them either.
Goddamn Zollner Pistons are leading Portland 99-96 half way through 4Q out there. Portland's a goddamned good basketball team, they've won 7 more games than Fort Wayne playing in the Big Boys League out West. They are +2 on Miami in 6th pending tonight's finish. They'll either be + 2 1/2 or +1 1/2 and will have a game in hand. Who...? Philly. We did that last year. It didn't work out.
No matter where Miami realistically finishes they're looking at a 4-zip or 4-1 K.O. out of the 'Loffs in the first round. Congratulations. But I'm not ending this post on such a cynical note. Tonight's win over a decently bad team on the road, on the second game in two nights, with the same starting five and a predictable and productive rotation, with young Bam Adebayo's tremendous game, winning the game in the 4th, that is as inspiring as a resident of 8th Place gets. Sincere congratulations. Sincerely impressive.
Good night.
