If you go back to just a week ago, the looming matchup between the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs didn't present many things to be excited about. Not only was the Heat mired in a season-long 5 game losing streak, but during the streak they suffered an embarrassing 30-point loss to the Spurs. There were no excuses for this loss, like not having one of the Big 3...they just flat out played poorly.
Now the Heat get to the play the team that handed their worst loss of the season, one game after picking up their biggest win of the season. It seems that each passing game over the past few weeks has been a progressive test for Miami, and that will continue as they get closer and closer to the playoffs. Even though the season is almost 70 games old, there are still things that they are trying to refine before they reach 82.
Whether its Mike Miller missing half the season, Erick Dampier getting more minutes and thus being inserted into the starting lineup or the newly acquired Mike Bibby learning the Heat playbook and tendencies of his new teammates, these are things that Miami is working through while at the same time trying to win games against their toughest stretch of opponents.
Looking at the Spurs, they are one of the more successful defensive teams in the league, though lately they have shown some weakness. On average they give up 96.9 points a game but have given up over 100 points in their last 3 games, something they haven't done since mid-December when it happened in 5 straight contests.
GAME NOTES
- If San Antonio wins tonight, it will be their 3rd season sweep of the Heat in the last 4 seasons.
- The last time Miami scored over 100 points against the Spurs was all the way back in January of 1995.
- During their first meeting with the Heat, San Antonio had 8 players scoring in double figures.
- The Spurs has won 3 consecutive visits to the AAA, and 4 straight against the Heat.
- San Antonio has also won 8 of their last 10 games overall.
- Udonis Haslem (foot) and Dexter Pittman (knee) are out while Zydrunas Ilgauskas (foot) is doubtful for the Heat.
- The Spurs injury report is empty.
Tipoff from the AAA is set for 8pm. The game will be nationally televised on TNT. If you want to go to the game but don't have tickets, don't forget about Peninsula Is Mightier's partnership with TiqIQ that not only helps you get tickets right here on PIM but they also search through several ticket selling websites and finds you the best deals out there. Click here to see what's available.