Road-weary Miami Heat take another tough loss, this time at Chicago Bulls, 95-91
It’s time to come on home, and it’s badly needed.
Everyone knew this was going to be a rough road trip. After struggling for a week, this gantlet laid before the Heat, featuring teams the Heat had done a very good job of almost beating this season. Unfortunately for them, that trend continued unrelentingly.
I would have bet almost all the money I had that the Heat were going to lose to the Bulls last night. After mustering everything they had to almost best the Celtics and the ensuing disappointment against the Cavaliers, the Heat are a team that are beaten down physically and mentally. They need to get off the road, and the last thing they needed to have was another trip to another city. But that’s what they got, and the result was – as I said – predictable, as the Bulls won 95-91.
There’s normally no shame in a close road loss like that. And in a vacuum, there shouldn’t be any for this particular team. But given the last two weeks, losing another squeaker like that is just demoralizing.
Luol Deng and Derrick Rose got 25 and 24, respectively, while Jermaine O’Neal came out pretty strong with 24 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks on a manly kind of night. Dwyane Wade didn’t lead the scoring, as he had a middling 20 points.
Both sides really didn’t shoot all that well but got their points. The only major statistical difference was steals, where the Bulls led 20-12. The eight-point difference created on fast-break points was more than enough to put them over the top Saturday night.
So it’s another game against another tough opponent Tuesday night in the Rockets. Houston’s a team I fear; they’re very greater-than-the-sum-of-their-parts-y. If the Heat don’t win that one, it could easily be nine losses out of ten at Atlanta. Cross you fingers and pray to your respective gods if you’re a fan of the Heaters; they could use a win like the mid-Atlantic could use another plow.
8 comments
Ah – another loss. It’s really starting to sting. They had this game – considering Chicago played the night before and was short a Noah and a Tyrus. J.O. played out of his mind last night and you could tell he didn’t want to lose this one. Yet, alas, turnovers did them in as well as Wade trying to fight through every double team.
Do we have any 3 point shooters? Anyone?
Anyone?
Bad Ref Call of the Night: Michael Beasleys backcourt violation when he clearly was behind the line.
You’re right Matt – at this point I’ll take any win, just give me something! Yet I don’t know if home is the rememedy as they are only 13-12 at home this season.
C’mon Heat – lets turn this thing around!
[Reply]
This was one of the few games I missed this year, and it sounds like yet another heartbreaker. Considering we started the season owning close games, all of a sudden I can’t remember the last we won.
As I look at the box score for this game, I’m baffled. We outshot them from 2, from 3 (by a lot, they’re one of the few teams worse than us from outside the arc), and the stripe, plus we outrebounded them somehow – yet still found a way to lose.
Not a surprise, though, when they beat us in the paint (by 8), on the break (by 8), and on turnovers (by 5). We’re not going to a win a lot of games when we lose the ones where we outshoot and outrebound the opposition.
And while J.O. obviously had a good night, our problem has never been someone other than Wade having a good night. It’s been having more than one other person than Wade having a good night.
We need a consistent 20+ ppg from someone other than him, a consistent 12+ rpg from someone on the team… and I as a type that I can only think – Beasley, as great as you can be at times and as much as you have improved, we NEED you to be “that” guy, and consistently. You’re already in the second half of your second year, and as young as you are the excuses are starting to wear thin. Good enough AIN’T enough, remember?
I’ve long said I’d hate to lose Beasley in a trade, but it might be realistic at this point to work out a deal for Bosh (with the Raps probably signing him to a hefty contract first) if we’re going to have any chance of keeping Wade. The only thing that’s helped us otherwise in that department is how much he’s struggled this year, which will hurt his market value in free agency… but everyone will just blame the Heat for that anyway.
[Reply]
By the way, I meant “points off turnovers” in the above post.
[Reply]
No way do you get rid of Beasley, he’s arguably our second best player this year. He had an off night last night but was not given the opprotunity to finish the game – which is what is wearing thin.
Wade, Beasley, JO – our best 3 players no way you trade Beasley now, especially with the possibility of losing Wade.
[Reply]
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to trade Beasley, I think he has the potential to be an all-purpose offensive beast – but I’m trying to be realistic about what Riley might feel pressured to do. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where we can simply swoop in on one of the top-tier free agents this summer without losing Wade or Beasley in the process.
For what it’s worth, we know we won’t give up Beasley for Boozer or Stoudemire… but Bosh might be worth it. A trade like that might be enough to get Wade to sign an extension now. Believe me, though, I’d love it if we can have our cake and eat it too.
As for J.O., while we won’t be trading him I won’t be surprised if he doesn’t return next year. Great guy and a wonderful career, but the only way he sticks with the Heat is if he takes a 75% pay cut. I’d be more than happy to see him return on those terms, but anything above that would conflict with our long established plans for this summer.
[Reply]
Unless J.O. is traded this year – I almost, almost – guarantee he’ll be back next year. Center/PF off the bench? He’s not done yet.
[Reply]
I think they should keep J O but he need a pay cut,it will be nice if they get A stoudamire and keep J O to come of the bench then sign another nice sf that can get u 16/18 points like C.butler or rudy gay some one like those player get a nice PG to open up the deffence and some nice bench player cause the bench suck hell d wade can’t even get a rest without them losing the lead as soon he sits down he has to get right back up
[Reply]
The heat just need a solid guy to step up dwade’s a star but besley is so inconsistent it’s pathetic but then again he can have his great nights(offensively) J.O’s game has been solid of late and should hope for some more touches,he’s playing the best he’s played in a long time, I think they should try sharing between wade and o’neal ,more and then look 4 beas when they start to get predictable.
[Reply]
Leave a Comment