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2009 - 2010 Season

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The Fourth Degree

Goodnight...Sleep Well.

And so we draw a discreet veil across season 2008/09.

A season which has been one of many ups and downs for this "budding" Miami Heat team.

Coming off a 15 win season and converting that into a Play-Off run deserves a modicum of credit but I'm certain that everyone looking on agrees that there is some serious work to be done.

I'm also sure that next season there won't be half as much whining and moaning surrounding the Head Coach (certainly not from me anyway). He'll get things right in the close season and the Heat will come back as an even tougher proposition, ready to challenge.

Which pieces will move around...I dunno...I would suggest a mentor for Mario Chalmers.

Beyond that who knows.

Thanks to anyone who has read HEATWAVES........I shall return under a new guise for season 2009/10.

Over and out.

Fourth Quarter Blues

Ah well....look on the bright side....we don't now play the Cavs.

Pattern Continues...Heat Set Up Decider...Game #6

ATLANTA HAWKS 72 - MIAMI HEAT 98 (3-3)

Six games -six routs -honours even.......this, truly ugly, series of games where both teams are Jeckyll and Hyde, will end on Sunday.

So what were the significant factors last night?

Well...first of all there was Dwyane Wade. A masterful performance on his way to 41 points...he also provided me with my favourite moment of the season so far with a swooping, concussion enducing, 4th quarter flush right on the head of Zaza Pachulia......nice.

Then there was Michael Beasley.

Michael has been splitting Miami fans right down the middle....I, as you may have guessed from previous bloggings, kinda like him. Admittedly he can be infuriatingly stupid at times both on and off court but he can also be stunningly brilliant when he puts his mind to things. He just needs to make the most of his opportunities, when they surface. Well, with 7.33 left in the first quarter last night, Udonis Haslem committed his second personal foul and Beasley came in.

Give Erik Spoelstra credit here....he stuck with the rookie last night and Michael repaid him with 22 points and 15 rebounds ( 5 more than anyone else in the game ).The only smudge would be that he never got to the free throw line but he is driving much more regularly now....the left hand finger roll is becoming a potent weapon. 36 minutes for Beasley last night.....Decision time for Spoelstra...a snap-shot of the future?

Lastly, I thought I'd single out Joel Anthony for a few plaudits. Big Joel has quietly gone about his business this season. He knows his function within the set-up and when called upon, is rarely found wanting for effort. A great guy to have around the place and I was happy for him that he got to start in such a big game. He played hard and helped open up the floor for Wade with well placed picks.

Atlanta were a no show....which suggests that they believe they will get the job done at home on Sunday....they may be mistaken.

We've opened the door again.

Tonight, We Even The Score.....But Let's Be Cool.

There's a fair bit of rhetoric flying around the AAA today.

The Heat are stocking up on how the Hawks and their hangers on have been "disrespectful" in the past couple of days and hoping to channel that negative energy into something positive come game time.

Mario West and Josh Smith's antics may provide some annoyance....Steve Holman (buffoon extraordinaire) may be calling the Heat "street thugs" and belittling D-Wade "I'm Dwyane Wade, you can't do that to me!!"

The media ( generally outside of Miami ) have all but written the Heat off.

Well.....whatever works.

I'm sure that the Hawks will look to deliver more of the same and assert themselves early....watch out for Pachulia putting himself about.....The Heat must match that clean up on the boards and hit some shots.....also someone needs to get a grip of Ronald "Flip" Murray, who is lighting us up in most embarrassing fashion.

I would counsel that cool heads are what will be required......that doesn't mean that the hearts aren't burning ferociously underneath.

Take it as given....the fans will do their bit.

Remember These Words

Dwyane Wade speaking during Thursday's media session..............

"It's a tough position to be in. I don't want to come out and shoot my team out of it or shoot us into it. I want it to be a total team effort. I'm not the kind of guy that feels like I have to do everything. Success comes from team success. Hopefully, we can go out and play our normal game."

I like that.

He also said that he has transcended his injuries....well, he didn't actually use the word "transcended" but he let everyone there know that he wasn't even thinking about them any more......

"I'm feeling better. I'm at the point where whatever is bothering me, it doesn't really matter at this point. I'm moving on from my injuries."

So my "Lazarus" analogy wasn't too far off the mark......Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy that Dwyane is feeling better and that the injuries, seemingly, aren't going to be a factor.....but how he can constantly swing from broken to fixed is an endless source of amazement to me and many others I suppose........let's look at that advert one more time........this series will surely go to seven games. I have removed the "if required" notice from Sunday's fixture.

The Truth....

Another excellent article from one of the finest U.S sports writers around.

Heat Must Find Its Physical Side In The Post Season - ISRAEL GUTIERREZ

Going Down?.......Game #5

MIAMI HEAT 91 - ATLANTA HAWKS 106 (2-3)

How'd we ever get 91?

I will make a few succinct points then retreat.

1. James Jones takes 2 attempts from the field in the 42 minutes of play he was given...TWO!!

2. Dwyane Wade plays 39 (could have been more) minutes on a broken back.

3. Michael Beasley awakens from his slumbers and only plays 24 minutes.

4. Daequan Cook needs counselling

5. This game was blown at half time 63 -40....Coach made some shocking decisions...AGAIN.

6. Spoelstra will not assume any of the blame.

7. One of two scenarios will now ensue.........we lose in 6.......or Lazarus will miraculuosly recover

and dramatically score 50 in the next game to ignite the Heat so that we pinch it in Atlanta.

Where's your money?

Dunno About You....

.....but I think something is a bit rotten in the state of Denmark.

D-Wade is definite about playing, regardless of the back injury.

Spoelstra says he can't afford to NOT have him out there and that even a lame Wade is better than no Wade at all......?

If what is being bandied about as regards our beaten up star is "gospel" then I think we should be a bit worried....if on the other hand we are experiencing a bit of chicanery by the Miami Heat then great!!

.....we'll find out the real story just after 8.00pm ET

Pray that Cook and Beasley get it going tonight.

Tomorrow Never Knows

Or play the game

Existence to the end

Of the beginning........of the beginning

John Lennon allegedly wrote this lyric whilst whacked out of his skull on LSD and other such psychadelic drugs in January 1966.....The title was coined by Ringo Starr during one of his legendary, Mrs.Malaprop-esque, interviews...where am I going with this??

Well......who knows what tomorrow may bring? Hopefully the strong medication that D-Wade used to help him sleep on Monday night will, along with the ministrations of trainer Jay Sabol, allow him to experience a relatively pain-free game #5. Medical assistance can only do so much....it certainly can't protect Wade from the physical abuse that The Hawks will undeniably mete out.....he will need help.....and LOTS OF IT.

This has been the main talking point across the board after game #4. The rookies especially have come in for a bit of stick as has, "Now you see me-Now you don't" Daequan Cook. Every player, regardless of experience, has to be ready to give it their all....it's no use turning up at the post match press conference and bemoan the fact that the other team played better....not an option.

We cannot afford to turn off our minds, relax and float down stream.

......I did say that we shouldn't underestimate The Hawks.....well they had better not underestimate the powers of recovery that Flash possesses and the unpredictability of the Heat team........wouldn't it be great if that unpredictability actually became a weapon?

Let's say it again.....who knows what tomorrow may bring?

What Now?....Game #4

ATLANTA HAWKS 81 - MIAMI HEAT 71 (2-2)

We are lead to believe that Dwyane Wade's back spasms began in the morning shoot-around...that was when Game #4 went down the chute for he Heat.

As Heat fans we are used, especially this season, to the Jeckyll and Hyde characteristics of this young team and Coach, I can live with that....however D-Wade playing 44 (nearly 45 minutes) on a bad back ?

He is the fulcrum...the player that makes things happen.....because he was hampered very little got going...there is no Plan B. This over-reliance was exposed last night....it was apparent as he grimaced his way through the first quarter that things weren't right....strikes me Dwyane needs protection from himself.

Give James Jones and Jermaine O'Neal credit. Especially Jones who is being called a "sharp-shooter" again, in certain parts. O'Neal had another 20 point game.

Both teams were poor (thankfully - remember you could have woken up to find out that you were a Hornets fan today) but the Hawks were slightly less so and will be cock-a-hoop with any kind of win on the road....Zaza Pachulia having a big night for them ( I'm going to resist any Big Kat references here as they could be viewed as divisive ).

Best of three now..and it has instantly become an uphill challenge again....still very possible though.

Heat Need To Go All Out For 3-1

This is a biggie....make no mistake about that.

The Miami sports media columns are being crammed with warning signs...

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE ATLANTA HAWKS.

Now, I cannot tell you all how much of a pleasure it has been to post such positive messages over the past few days....it beats moaning....of which I am utterly guilty. This Heat team has had a very topsy turvy season....inconsistent to say the least.....usually after a performance like last Wednesday when everything goes right- everything goes wrong the next game.

NOT SO.....They came out on Saturday on home turf and played even better.

The Hawks who were fairly warm favourites to take this series look shell-shocked and their Head Coach is looking for excuses......this doesn't mean they aren't dangerous.....they hung with the Celtics for seven games last year. Miami has a foot on Atlanta's throat and must not release that pressure. If we go 3-1 up then we are in fantastic shape.

More of the same Miami please.

Rule of Thumb....Haslem Definitely OK......Game #3

ATLANTA HAWKS 78 - MIAMI HEAT 107 (2-1)

My, my!

I think we can safely say that the Hawks got unceremoniously battered in his one. The starting 5 for the Miami Heat all registered double figures with D-Wade on 29 (yes ONLY 29) and J.O hitting 22 points and 10 boards.....Udonis Haslem joined him in the double/double stats with 12 and 13......at one point, in the first quarter last night you could have been forgiven for thinking there were TWO Udonis Haslem's on court...he was everywhere.

Okay so the thumb isn't eally a factor then? Didn't seem like it, the way he was rebounding....awesome.

As critic in chief of Coach Spoelstra I'd like to say how good it is to see him look slightly more assured....he has most definitely fostered a team ethic with tiger-ish defense and the scoring being spread. Even with Cook and Beasley ( two fairly potent scorers ) as non-factors offensively, last night, the Heat had too much for the mis-firing Hawks. He has looked towards his All-Stars and they haven't been found wanting. Both Wade and O'Neal have lead by example and to our delight the response has been electric...and the scoring balanced.....if things continue in this vein they'll be a handful for anyone.

The fact that the Heat are now starting to look more like favourites than underdogs will mean that Michael Beasley will have make full use of his court time....seasoned players like Haslem, Jones and O'Neal, who've been over the course before are showing their true worth. I know I've been calling for Beasley to start but that was when I thought UD was injured badly...he isn't...he starts....okay.....it's fairly obvious that Spoelstra, now, cannot afford any disastrous slip-ups and Michael can be prone to them....development over.....I just hope that if his time comes and he's needed to give us a spark from the bench he grabs the opportunity.

If, on the other hand, he screws up I hope it doesn't cost us a game....that would be tough on the kid.

100% from the free throw stripe last night AND 52.2% from downtown...not 58% but still excellent...James Jones 3-3, including one that bounced off the top edge of the backboard and in....keep an eye on him, his luck could be turning.

The pendulum has swung and The Heat have assumed home court advantage....game #4 is huge.

Heat Looking For Level Heads at the AAA

Okay......amidst all the uneasiness surrounding rotations, haircuts, playing time, joviality, tactics, stitches and 64 points....Game #2 occured and the Heat came through, at the Philips Arena.....Spoelstra stressed "D" and he nailed it. 

You CANNOT argue with that. 

D-Wade showed his leadership qualities...as did UD.....the Heat got the game controlled and squeezed the life out of the Hawks. The scoring was spread, as were the minutes and the whole thing started to look, dare we say it.......balanced? Something the Heat have been searching for all season...balance...D-Wade needs his mates to step up alongside him....maybe now ( you'd hope ) some confidence will begin to flow through this team.

Give Spoelstra his due.....although there still seemed to be one or two questionable decisions - like Wade sitting in crunch time, things fell for him.....Wade and Cook shared 12 three pointers between them and Udonis hit those two crucial jumpers....this is the tight-rope the Coach walks....hero or villain....well in Game #2, even though I've been bleating for more minutes for Beasley, there were definite tactics and the minutes were managed brilliantly.....and d'you know what?  I'M GLAD....and a tad less baffled.

I'm glad that the Coach got this success and I hope that there's more to come. I'm Less baffled because what he did made sense...eg big minutes for Cook and O'Neal, Magloire adopting the "enforcer" role, using Moon athelticism, sharing time between Beasley and Haslem, slowing the game down etc. Now it's fairly unlikely but not impossible that the Heat will go out and drain 58% from three-point land on Saturday evening ( isn't it? )....we shall see.....everyone is espousing more half court offense ....no arguments here..... as long as we hit the shots when they present themselves.

I read somewhere today "live by the three - die by the three".....that quote chills me but I'm sure there will be no reliance on the three ball after hitting 15 of them on Wednesday.....that would be too naive.....especially when you have the best finisher in the game on your side.....I'm sure Wade will mix it up and if the treys are there, hopefully, we'll execute.

Balance seems to be the way forward.....but if D-Wade scores 60 in a double OT success I'll take that too!

It's the Play-Offs....I think petty differences need to be shelved....WIN HEAT whichever way you can.

Cook-ing Up A Storm.....Game #2

MIAMI HEAT 108 - ATLANTA HAWKS 93 (1-1)

It was fairly predictable that D-Wade wouldn't have two bad nights in a row. He had a small blip, mid-season where everything he touched turned to ice for around four games or so but THIS is the play-offs....THIS is different.

You would also assume that with 33 points it was all about him last night....I had reckoned on the Head Coach loading up on Wade.....what I hadn't reckoned on was Daequan Cook getting red-hot and finding his Phoenix form from three-point land.....neither had the Hawks it would appear.....neither did anyone else, I'll warrant.....glad he did though. Also Jermaine O'Neal had a big, aggressive and arguably his best night in a Miami Heat uniform with 19 points, 6 boards and 4 blocks.....that'll keep the "Old Man" accusations at bay for a while at least.

In fact there was a pleasing spread of points and this is when the Heat are at their best....Wade in front getting help from here, there and everywhere. Haslem, Beasley, Moon and Magloire all had important contributions to make especially on the defensive glass where Atlanta hardly got a look-in (give Spoelstra credit here)....Haslem, specifically ,hit two huge buckets with Wade on the bench in crunch time with 5 fouls and the Hawks closing in.....such is his value to this team (injured or not - like it or not). Hopefully the sore thumb won't be a factor from here on in and he and Beasley can spark off each other.

Wade's banked-in three pointer with 2.36 to go made me think....there is no question, we can do this.

The series is tied and we go home for the next two....what an opportunity this is now.

Looky here....

Sometimes you find shared opinions in the craziest places...take a look at this from Ira Winderman's Q&A session.

Q: Ira, why are your readers so distraught? We have D-Wade next to a mediocre starting PG, no reasonable small forward and a washed-up center. It's a miracle they are where they are. What frightens me, and probably Pat Riley, is basing so much of your future on Beasley, who seems to be a knucklehead. -- Howard.

A: But a highly skilled knucklehead. The key is to find that one assistant coach who can mentor, tutor and befriend Michael. While it might sound outrageous for Michael to essentially have his own assistant coach, that might be what it takes. Again, I would Crazy Glue Michael to Keith Askins for the summer.

EXACTLY.

I've been saying this for a while now....hate to get all pompous about it......good old Ira.

Just for the Record...

It isn't only me who has a bug up their a** as regards Coach Spoelstra.

Diego over at "Leaving It All On The Court" makes some salient points on the subject, including a resounding vote of confidence for #30. I was beginning to think that I stood alone in my baffled state but there seems to be some other pockets of bewilderment out there in the blogosphere.

Also, check out "Peninsula is Mightier" for a great photo with accompanying caption.....sums up what I'm thinking.

This is good too, from "The Bleacher Report"

My friends over at Dos Minutos have given me a bit of a chewing over for what they term my "vilification" of Erik Spoelstra and claim that my remarks have been "bizarre" and "over the edge".......fair play to them.....this is healthy.....it wouldn't do if we all agreed with each other all the time, would it. Professional sport, no matter what type, constantly throws up arguments.

I'm no authority on it...just an interested spectator....with a big mouth.....

....And Spoelstra baffles me.

Guess I'm not too smart huh?

Have People Lost Their Minds?

Just read this.......David Hyde - Michael Beasley Needs To Grow Up Fast

I must admit it has left me ever so slightly non-plussed. Apparently, in the warm up last evening, Michael was taking circus shots and goofing off rather than, as the seriousness of the Play-Offs demands, being totally focused and toe-ing the line.

Big WOW!!!!

What I will say is that unless I'm very much mistaken the kid went on to have another double/double 10 and 10, albeit in ( as my friends at Dos Minutos rightly call it ) garbage time. He had as many defensive rebounds as Haslem, Jones and O'Neal put together. Throw into the mix 2 blocked shots and two steals also and I reckon the Rokkie can hold his head a lot higher than many of his senior, more illustrious colleagues.

Don't give me this nonsense about him not caring...not having the right attitude...he is being stifled. He was probably pissed off but resigned to the fact that Haslem would waltz back in (with one hand) and that either Jones, Moon or Diawara would be there before him too....I wouldn't have blamed him if he'd launched a ball at Spoelstra's head never mind the rafters at the Phillips Arena.

The Head Coach asked him for performances....he has definitely upped his game.....the Head Coach promised him minutes if he performed well.....does this equate to meaningless court-time when the Heat are so far in arrears they need a telescope to find the Hawks?

I am totally baffled and I think Beasley is too....the more Spoelstra mucks around with his mind the more you will see behaviour akin to a twelve year old (nice one Dwyane).

As I've said before, this isn't rocket science.......it's simple man-management, being honest and allowing those in your charge to be trusted....Here's the ball Mike - go and show us what you can do......it's too late to ask him to grow up now....he was placed in the dark after a handful of regular season games and has been fed bulls**t ever since.

GAME #1 Awful....Just Bloody Awful.

MIAMI HEAT 64 - ATLANTA HAWKS 90  (0-1)

Is it best to just forget about this one? I think so.

I'll guarantee you that is what Erik Spoelstra is doing right now because he never makes mistakes. I have yet to hear him blame himself....hold his hands up and say, "Hey, you know what? I really screwed up there....I really don't know what I'm supposed to be doing and could do with a little help...please."

No........what do we get instead?......his standard response....

"Defensively we were slow. We were slow in the mind, and whenever there seemed to be a loose ball or a rebound, they seemed to have much more desperation than we did and physicality than we did."

Inspire your team Erik.....for God's sake.....do your job.

I'm not even going to go into the box score on this one. This has been the Miami Heat all season long.....who'd bet against them coming out and tearing homecourt advantage away from the Hawks in Game #2.......not I.......D-Wade has had his bad game and he's had it early. Coach Spoelstra will almost inevitably now look to our superstar to bail him out, once more.

....and incidentally why is Udonis Haslem playing?......he's injured....Michael Wallace over at the Miami Herald made him "Player of the Game"........I truly despair.

Derrick Rose - Rookie

It's not that I like to see Boston lose.......well.........it is actually.

I enjoy the fact that Paul Pierce only connects on 9-21...that makes my day....call me sad if you wish. I'm kind of conflicted though when that defeat is inflicted upon them by non other than the Chicago Bulls. There have been one or two testy moments between the Heat and the Bulls this season already....who can forget Vinnie Del Negro's "Remember this....Remember this !!!" outburst. Still you've got to admire Derrick Rose.

Rookie - first playoff game - 36 points - 11 assists -49 minutes

Hello! ROOKIE...ROOKIE...ROOKIE.....I repeat RRRRROOOOKKKIE.

Against the champs no less..............lots of faith has been shown in the #1 draft pick......ofcourse there is a difference between him and others as he has automatically become the franchise player in Chicago and the team is to be built around him but he has played every game and been allowed to develop and make mistakes during the regular season. Wouldn't it be amazing if now, having climbed that steep learning curve we hear so much about, Rose went on to dominate the Celtics.....what a story that would be.......not saying it's going to happen but just shows you what having a little faith and trust in your rookie can deliver.

Business As Usual.....

Well folks....what did you expect?

Upon reading dear old Ira's blog this evening.

Haslem will play regardless of how the lacerated finger has healed....Beasley, who has, beyond any reasonable doubt, earned his minutes recently will sit on the bench.

Of course, that is, until the Heat go down big in the first quarter and he'll be asked to spark the rescue mission....from his chair....once again.

Starting five for game #1......Chalmers, Wade, Moon, Haslem, O'Neal....no doubt about it.

Is there any point at all in getting irate over this? I've been calling out the Head Coach for a while now and really, it doesn't make me feel any better.....nope....Are there any Heat fans out there with the realistic expectation that we're going to go on and actually win the whole thing???!!!

Then why the rush to play Haslem?....his back is suspect and he's got an injured thumb....we have a more than able substitute.....what is going on?

As I've said already.....if Spoelstra has a plan it's a tad hard to comprehend.

Unleash Beasley on the Hawks and let's see what he can do....you already have your success Erik, now take a gamble...that's a laugh!

Prediction Time

Okay, so we now plunge headlong into the Post Season.

All the match-ups have been decided....it's time to make your predictions.....here are mine

IN THE WEST

Lakers, Hornets, Spurs, Blazers

IN THE EAST

Cleveland, Orlando, Boston, MIAMI

You didn't honestly think I would bet against our boys did you? It's going to be one hell of a struggle against a well equipped Hawks team but I just have a feeling......if our esteemed Coach decides to be a little creative.....that we could pull it off....then, bolstered by a Series win who wouldn't fancy us giving anyone a game??

Keep everything crossed....maybe this topsy turvy season will finally level out.

Here Endeth The Regular Season....Game #82

DETROIT PISTONS 96 - MIAMI HEAT 102 (OT ) (43-39)

Another meaningless game for the Heat to finish off the season?

You try telling that tale to Chris Quinn, Dorrell Wright and Michael Beasley.

After playing 28, nearly 29 minutes on Tuesday, against the Hawks and registering a big , fat donut hole on the box score as regards points, Quinn came out all guns blazing and showed real character in a career high performance......26 points on 9-13 shooting, 5-5 from beyond the arc.

Wright had a big 10 boards in a display that will surely give him heart come the off-season.

Beasley continued his current hot form running up 22 and pulling down 5 rebounds before being poked in the eye by Amir Johnson midway through the third quarter...he'd played about 19 minutes by then and didn't return....the injury isn't serious and he was heard to be joking about it afterwards.....careful Mike, don't want to be joking around too much or it'll be sackcloth and ashes for you my friend!

With Dwyane Wade securing the scoring title and masquerading as the main cheerleader from courtside it was a happy ending to regular season 08/09 for the Miami Heat.

As far as I am concerned everything from here on in is a bonus. The Hawks are tricky opposition but opposition that we are well capable of beating.....it really is down, now, to the Coaching Staff to get some sort of formula worked out that will facilitate all of the talents of this young squad...not just D-Wade....as I've mentioned already this season the Heat are at their best when the scoring is spread.....yeah sure, we're going to need big nights from #3 and I'll welcome those but we must NOT become one dimensional, go into our shells and be totally reliant on him...we must utilise our most potent scorers and look for Coach Spoelstra to be true to his word.

I think you know what I'm alluding to here......I see no gains from sitting the kid down at this juncture........NONE, period.

Beasley Burns Brightest in Meaningless Loss...Game #81

MIAMI HEAT 79 - ATLANTA HAWKS 81 (42-39)

Not a lot to report on last night's game apart from the fact that Michael Beasley came out of the traps like a man possessed scoring 12 points and corralling 11 boards in the first quarter....personally I'd have liked to see him play on last night, instead of motoring through is 24 minutes but there you go....Coach Spoelstra obviously has a key role for him.....ya think?

And the Good News Is......Game #80

NEW YORK KNICKS 105 - MIAMI HEAT 122 (42-38)

You'd quite honestly think that with 28 points, 16 (count them) rebounds and 2 blocked shots that we'd be talking about how Michael Beasley slayed the Knicks at the AAA last night. Well....let's put it this way....he certainly softened them up.

BUT

The fatal blows were dealt by #3...When you consider D-Wade you just have to sit back in awe. I know I have been critical of Erik Spoelstra's "D-Wade" offense but last night was such a show of virtuosity that you cannot do anything else but admire it....55 massive points, a career high in a season of bests for Wade. Remember too he was on the bench for the first 5 and a bit minutes of the second quarter.

I suppose if we are fortunate enough to have a player of this calibre there are going to be nights when we jump on his back and let him pull us along.....any Coach in the league would do the same thing.

The most pleasing bit for me was Beasley.....you could see the fear and disappointment in his face when he got called (dubiously) for his second foul with 2.26 left in the first and had to sit down....had this been a couple of weeks ago he'd have disappeared without trace but the kid had already scored 5 points and pulled down 7 rebounds....Coach Spoelstra is slowly starting to believe in him and he only got called for one further infringement in his 40.16 minutes. Maybe he fact that he has only been playing in the mid 20's all season will be a huge boost to the Heat when the series against the HAWKS starts......Michael certainly looks fresh.......my friends over at DOS MINUTOS ( a very entertaining Miami Heat blog and much more insightful than this)certainly think he's looking more interested.

So that's fifth spot locked down....Wade can now take a well earned rest and O'Neal can get treatment on the calf. Hopefully the Heat will have as near to a healthy roster as possible come Play-off time.