Hornets Vs Heat: Injuries, Trends, and Prediction

Injury Report:

For the Heat, Dexter Pittman is out indefinitely with a strained quadriceps. New Orleans is reporting guard Eric Gordon out with a sore right knee and big man Anthony Davis with a "stress" reaction in his left ankle, both indefinitely.

Team Leaders:

Hornets:

Points:
Ryan Anderson 18.1
Greivis Vasquez 12.7
Robin Lopez 11.4

Rebounds:
Ryan Anderson 7.7
Al-Farouq Aminu 7.4
Robin Lopez 5.3

Assists:
Greivis Vasquez 8.7
Austin Rivers 2.9
Brian Roberts 2.5

Steals:
Al-Farouq Aminu 1.5
Austin Rivers 0.8
Robin Lopez 0.7

Blocks:
Robin Lopez 2.0
Jason Smith 1.1
Al-Farouq Aminu 0.6

Heat:

Points:
LeBron James 25.2
Dwyane Wade 19.4
Chris Bosh 18.9

Rebounds:
LeBron James 9.2
Chris Bosh 8.1
Udonis Haslem 5.1

Assists:
LeBron James 6.9
Dwyane Wade 4.5
Mario Chalmers 4.1

Steals:
Mario Chalmers 1.6
LeBron James 1.3
Dwyane Wade 1.2

Blocks:
Chris Bosh 1.4
LeBron James, Shane Battier 0.9

Splits:

King James has averaged 24.3 points, 6.3 boards and 7.5 assists in 19 games against the Hornets. It's his second lowest point per game average vs any team (he averages 23.4 against the Los Angeles Clippers). In 15 contests against the Hornets, Chris Bosh averages 21.4 points with eight rebounds in just under three quarters per game. Dwayne Wade has appeared in 18 games against New Orleans, averaging 22.8 points and 4.7 rebounds with 5.8 dimes. Mario Chalmers plays just over a half per game against the Hornets, averaging 7.3 points with 3.3 assists over six games. Ray Allen has played in 44 games against the Hornets over his career, scoring 21.8 points with four rebounds and four assists per game.

Trends:

Over his last two games, LBJ has averaged a triple double, scoring 28.5 points with 11.5 rebounds and 10 assists in 40.7 minutes.

In his last four games, Chris Bosh has alternated good performances with bad, scoring 18 with 12 rebounds against the Spurs, eight with two boards against the Nets, 20 with 12 rebounds against the Wizards, and 12 with six rebounds Thursday against the Knicks.

After starting the season out well above 50% from three-point territory, Ray Allen has hit three of his last 12 attempts (including 0-for-3 on Thursday).

Dwyane Wade has cooled off since dropping 34 on the Nets last Saturday, averaging 18.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and two assists in his last two contests.

Musical Reference:

There very well may be a band named "Hornet," but I've never heard of them. Until such time that they get on the radio, we're going to go with W.A.S.P. for any game against the Hornets.

Blind in Texas

Prediction:

In addition to Miami's apparent inability to keep up with the New York Knicks, we've also been privy this season to Miami's predilection to play down to their level of competition. There's a little pressure tonight to avoid a three game losing streak and prove something to the rest of the NBA, that is, they can run away with a game at will. It's going to be a big offensive night for the Heat. Look for six players in double figures, including Ray Allen with at least six three pointers. in an eight point Heat victory somewhere in the 110's or 120's.