Game Thread: Miami Heat @ Minnesota Timberwolves Game Thread

[Paolo305613]

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
TV: Sun Sports (Eric Reid, Tony Fiorentino, Jason Jackson) Radio: FM 104.3/AM 790 & The HEAT Radio Network (Mike Inglis) Spanish Radio: WAQI 710AM (José Pañeda)
Series Notes: The HEAT and Timberwolves meet for the first of two match-ups this season. Last season, Miami swept the season-series, 2-0, and has now won six-straight against the Timberwolves. The HEAT is 27-19 all-time versus the T-Wolves in the regular season, including 12-12 in games played in Minnesota and 15-7 in games played in Miami.

 

[Paolo305613]

Starting this game thread already in case tonight goes on even longer than expected

 

[Paolo305613]

I have been saying it since last season - And now finally it is addressed… At least in the Latest Ask Ira - The issue of whether CB needs to take the ball inside more or not.
Miami Heat, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade commentary - Sun Sentinel

I have called him soft in the past but I will refrain from doing so because I know some of the reason why CB doesnt go inside enough is because of our style of play which really only makes LBJ and Wade the focal points while leaving every one else to just try and feed off that.

That said, going back to last season, the Heat claim they play a style in which there is very little actual plays being called… So maybe they need to go to more sets to get CB involved and get him inside early and often. Keep him from shooting long jumperI really dont blame too much CB for not going inside as we have seen LBJ and Wade do a lot this season, they settle for shots like crazy as LBJ did last night.

The team was just disengaged last night - sadly, for the first time all season I saw that from Beasley mainly on the defensive end though he got us going late when LBJ quit and came out of the game. I think with Wade sitting out butthurt and Birdman out for personal matters, the team felt short-handed and defeated from the start.

Maybe now Wade will sit out less games being butthurt and only sit when he has actual injuries and be out there helping his team win. But that is wishful thinking… He is too much of a diva.

 

[Paolo305613]

Will be interesting how the Diva aka Dwyane Wade and the Heat approach this game as it is the first night of a b2b on the road as we will have the Pistons who have put us to shame once before and then the Pacers. We have the Pacers twice in a short time coming up.

 

[bksballer89]

I expect Wade to play in Minny and Indy for sure. Detroit will depend on soreness in his knee. 3 games in 4 nights will be tough on his knee for sure. No good reason to risk losing him for the season for some meaningless games in early December.

 

[Paolo305613]

Trade rumor involving Joel Anthony
Report: Heat shopping Joe Anthony to pick up another guard - CBSSports.com

 

[avalon2423]

I cant imagine any team willing to give Miami a candy bar for Anthony nonetheless a player thats worth anything.

 

[bksballer89]

According to the link Paolo posted it basically said it would only be able to work if a team basically need to free up cap space and would basically buy out his contract.

I just thought about this. How about we sign Shannon Brown and release Roger Mason?

BTW good to see you back Av

 

[Paolo305613]

I just thought about this. How about we sign Shannon Brown and release Roger Mason?

Maybe - But, would his role be any bigger than that of Roger’s right now? Chances are he ends up having the same role as Roger currently has which is a guy at the end of the bench/rotation who barely plays unless its end of games or when we are short a guy because Wade decides to sit out a game.

Point is, if his role is not going to be significant what is the point of making a move?

 

[Paolo305613]

Kevin Love will not play as his grand mother has passed away.

Here is the latest Ask Ira regarding our options at PF - Love what this guy said about Shane. I knew I wasn’t the only one who thought he was useless garbage.
Miami Heat, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade commentary - Sun Sentinel

 

[bksballer89]

Maybe - But, would his role be any bigger than that of Roger’s right now? Chances are he ends up having the same role as Roger currently has which is a guy at the end of the bench/rotation who barely plays unless its end of games or when we are short a guy because Wade decides to sit out a game.

Point is, if his role is not going to be significant what is the point of making a move?

It should be because Brown is a good player who can beat guys off the dribble. I agree that unless you plan on having him in the rotation consistently it makes no sense to make a move for a player who is going to be a bench warmer or in a suit nightly.

I honestly think this is a panic move. If the Heat are smart and they want similar offense in the starting lineup when Wade misses a game, the best thing to do would be to insert Beasley in the starting lineup. You can play with the defensive rotations and have Shane or Lebron guarding the 2 guard with Beasley guarding the 3 or the 4 if he's not too big.

 

[bksballer89]

Shane hasn't been playing good this yr and I think Spo is an idiot for starting him especially against big teams. Starting him against teams like Detroit, Chicago, Indy, and etc is beyond stupid because it just means we will get killed on the glass because neither he or Bosh can rebound as you saw in Chicago thursday night. We should move Bosh back to the 4 and start Bird even if Bird can only give us 20 MPG

 

[Paolo305613]

Shane hasn't been playing good this yr and I think Spo is an idiot for starting him especially against big teams.

What I have been saying the entire time he has been here - The Heat over-value this piece of garbage. They think too highly of him to remove him from the starting lineup. I mean think about it, there was no reason for him to even ever be in the starting lineup, yet it happend - As stated in the Ask Ira, the only way he gets removed is by way of injury - otherwise they will keep him in there at all cost and we have seen for too long already.

Speaking of Chris Andersen - He has rejoined the team in Minnesota. I think starting him and moving CB to PF will be the best thing to do. But, that will never happen. Spo would never do anything that might lead Shane to go back to the bench and possibly have his minutes decrease off the bench.

 

[Paolo305613]

Some tweets from Ira Heat camp cut Charlie Westbrook has signed with their D-League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. He is eligible to be signed by any team.

Heat notebook: Mason Jr. says he can provide backcourt depth; the Big Chill; rebounding reviewed; Beasley back. Roger Mason Jr. address Miami Heat backcourt; Erik Spoelstra talks rebounding - Sun Sentinel

 

[Paolo305613]

As mentioned before - Birdman is back from being with family after the death of his grandmother - And The diva is expected to play tonight - barring a last minute change - He was butt-hurt again last game

 

[bksballer89]

I'm probably going to miss most of the game tonight as I'm heading out and going to enjoy my saturday night starting now. I'm wishing the fellas luck and hoping we win this one as we should with Love being out

 

[Paolo305613]

Beasley out (left hammy strain)... Woke up w discomfort w/o knowledge of how it happen.... Getting treatment - listed day to day

From Ira Winderman

 

[Paolo305613]

Michael Beasley and Greg Oden inactive

 

[Paolo305613]

Same lineup except Wade is back, and sadly Shane is still in it.

 

[Paolo305613]

Pregame note of note: The Heat currently have recorded 15 consecutive wins against Western Conference opponents, their longest such winning streak in franchise history, and according to Elias Sports Bureau, that ties for the fifth-longest streak by an Eastern Conference team in NBA history.