Game Thread: Miami Heat @ Cleveland Cavaliers Game Thread

[Paolo305613]

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
TV: Sun Sports (Eric Reid, Tony Fiorentino, Jason Jackson)
Radio: FM 104.3/AM 790 & The HEAT Radio Network (Mike Inglis, John Crotty) Spanish Radio: WAQI 710AM (José Pañeda, Joe Pujala)
Series Notes: The HEAT and Cavaliers meet for the third and final match-up this regular season. Miami captured wins in both of their previous games and look to sweep the season-series for the third consecutive season with a win. Last season, Miami swept the season-series, 4-0, and has currently won nine-straight against the Cavs. The HEAT is 54-39 all-time versus the Cavaliers in the regular season, including 20-26 in games played in Cleveland and 34-13 in games played in Miami.

 

[Paolo305613]

Is Greg Oden progressing as needed for Miami Heat? - Sun Sentinel

 

[MoeJoe]

Well, let's review the Ray Allen phenomenon. First of all, I was clear in a prior post, stating that he was a future Hall of Famer, the direct opposite of your perplexing "interpretation". My point was that he is "no longer that guy".
























Secondly, let's examine the constants when Ray is on the court. The below average rebounding, the inability to create for his teammates absent excessive turnovers, never a steal, and then there's his defense. I know the typical fan is busy waving his pom poms when the ball is on the defensive end, but the liability this guy brings to the defensive end is striking. Other teams are already well aware of this, as they seem to always by accident find the guy Ray is "guarding", initiating the play from there. The end result is usually penetration for a layup with Ray chasing from behind, or more often, a drop off for a stuff. Against Houston, I was astounded as to how Ray was deployed defensively in the second half, constantly finding himself matched up on Hardin. You may want to check on how Hardin performed in the second half. These are the constants, the things that you can count on to occur during every game, and especially during the playoffs.


Finally, let's go the offense. There is no question that after 62 poor to average offensive games, Ray has now put together two consecutive very good offensive games, one of which the Heat won. His shooting was exceptional. I guess one has to ask himself, should the future expectation be based upon what has happened in the collective 64 games, or based only on the most recent two? The indisputable fact is that for the season, he is now a 37.9% 3-point shooter. If that is good enough given all of the other liabilities, then this is clearly your guy moving forward.


I've also been clear that it is not the fact that he is played at all, but his minutes that bother me the most. The above-described liabilities can be better masked when a guy is played fewer minutes. Opponents generally don't design game plans to expose a guy who only plays 15 minutes. Instead, Ray can be counted upon to get 25-30 tired minutes in each and every game at the age of 38-39. If Ray was played < 15 minutes per game, I'd consider that an acceptable formula.


I think the fact that you had to wait almost the entire season for your excited "I told you so" speaks volumes. But I surely cannot state my principal point any better than did the announcer during the Sunday game against Houston. His approximate quote was, "Given the shot that Ray Allen made in game 6 of the finals last year, I think he deserves a lifetime pass".


I'm done discussing this; you can make the next 500 posts in the usual fashion. I have work to do. But my prediction is that you won't be ringing his bell once the we get immersed in the playoffs.

 

[Paolo305613]

Has Michael Beasley run out of Miami Heat rotation chances? - Sun Sentinel

 

[Paolo305613]

No Kyrie against the Heat on Tuesday night, out at least two weeks with biceps strain.Spoelstra says Oden will start again tonight.

Per Ira Winderman

Which means the scrub wont start again today and hopefuly doesnt even play.

 

[Paolo305613]

Kyrie and Deng out for the Cavs… More reasons to blow them out. Anything less is unacceptable

 

[Paolo305613]

Diva sitting out tonight using the excuse of a b2b tomrrow as an excuse… And to think he wouldnt still be doing this late in the second half of the season… but once a diva, always a diva.

Dwyane Wade, Justin Hamilton inactive - Toney Douglas to start in his place - useless scrub shane battier honorary inactive as usual.

 

[Paolo305613]

Inactive: Anthony Bennett, Carrick Felix.

 

[Paolo305613]

Pregame note of note: Heat guard Ray Allen made all seven of his free throws Sunday against the Rockets and now has made a season-high 25 in a row. He has not missed a free throw since January 29 vs. Oklahoma City. He is shooting .918 from the line this season (89 for 97).

I dont know the exact number, but a good chunk of those 8 misses are during technical foul attempts

 

[Paolo305613]

2 early blocks for Oden of which he has earned not those cheap blocks the scrub gets

 

[Paolo305613]

Good to see the Heat go for the kill early against the Cavs as it should be every night against all opponents. Now , the trick is keeping their foot on the gas for the whole game.

 

[bksballer89]

Ray Allen is heating up just in time for the playoffs

 

[bksballer89]

2 early blocks for Oden of which he has earned not those cheap blocks the scrub gets

Seems like the Oden move may be permanent and I support this move

 

[bksballer89]

Toney Douglas is a waste of space

 

[Paolo305613]

Seems like the Oden move may be permanent and I support this move

Who wouldn’t?

Toney Douglas is a waste of space

Much like the scrub

 

[Paolo305613]

Scrub in the game, lead decreasing, of course

 

[Paolo305613]

With the scrub still in the game, the lead continues to decrease for the Heat

 

[Paolo305613]

And scrub still in the game… And heat lose the lead.

 

[bksballer89]

With the scrub still in the game, the lead continues to decrease for the Heat

Yeah they really need to take out Douglas

 

[Paolo305613]

Scrub finally out and UD in the game so we should get back in buisness now