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We'll start with a quick recap of last night in L.A. I apologize for the tardiness, didn't get a chance to watch it until this afternoon.
The first quarter against the Clippers is one that felt like it would never end. It didn't matter what Miami did, or tried to do, they just couldn't stop Los Angeles from scoring. They started out hitting 14 of 17 from the field and 6 of 7 downtown and it seemed that everything they put up was going down. Miami gave up 44 points on 77% shooting in the 1st quarter, trailing by 18.
Slowly but surely things improved in the 2nd. As you could've expected, L.A. finally started to miss some shots. Miami's D gained energy which put a spring in the Heat's step and allowed them to do what they do best on offense. The Clippers led by 21 points a couple of times in the 1st half but Miami got that deficit down to 10 at halftime.
Miami did a good job of chipping away at the Clippers lead during the 3rd quarter, getting it down to a little as 3 a couple of times. They couldn't sustain that pace though, and within a few minutes they found themselves down by double digits again. Every time the Heat went on a run to get close, Los Angeles came right back to extend the lead.
A LeBron James triple took a 12-point deficit down to 2 about halfway though the 4th quarter but that was as close as the Heat would get. Shots wouldn't fall for anyone on the Heat and stops were difficult to come by on the defensive end down the stretch. For the first time since November 22nd in Dallas the Heat had lost on the road. Next up...
The situation in Denver has been a bit shaky of late with all the talks about Carmelo Anthony being traded. They had lost three straight games in the midst of all the trade rumors which isn't surprising considering half the team is caught wondering if they will be shipped out or if they will be stuck on a team that suddenly gets considerably worse.
The Nuggets regrouped on Tuesday night and took out their frustrations on Phoenix, beating the Suns by 34. The question now is which Nuggets team is going to show up tonight against the Heat. Considering that playing against Miami usually brings out the best in opposing teams, my guess would be that Carmelo and co. are going to bring their A-game.
GAME NOTES
vs. L.A.
- It was the Heat's first loss in 10 games and their first on the road in 14.
- Chris Bosh had just 1 rebound in the 1st half before finishing with 13.
- The Heat allowed 44 points to the Clippers in the 1st quarter but just 43 in the 2nd half.
- Just 9 of the Heat's 105 points came from anyone other then the Big 3.
- LeBron James said he ankle was fine. They took x-rays, which came up negative, and James is considered day-to-day.
vs. Denver
- Miami has lost 9 of their last 10 games to the Nuggets.
- They have also lost their last 8 trips to the Pepsi Center.
- This will be the 10th time Miami has played a back-to-back set this year. The Heat is 7-2 on the back end,
- Udonis Haslem (foot) is out, Jamaal Magloire (back) is doubtful and LeBron James (ankle) is questionable.
- For the Nuggets, Ty Lawson (knee), Chris Andersen (knee), Kenyon Martin (knee) and Al Harrington (back) are all listed as day-to-day.