In Q1 the Miami Heat dashed out the huddle with some football passes to take a ten point lead over Boston at the end of Q1 (11-21). In Q2 Rajon Rondo # 9 sat on the bench picking his teeth and not smiling, watching Mike Miller # 13 hit 3 (14-24). Some technical fouls called first on Ray Allen # 20, then on Celtics Coach Glen Doc Rivers, energized the team. Rondo came into the game blazing with bullets to the basket and brought the Celtics to an even score at half-time (46-46). They say don’t get mad get even. But LeBron James # 6 and Dewayne Wade # 3 fired up the grill for some holiday barbecue ending Q 3 leading 61-72 and finishing the game leading 79-93. LeBron with 32 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks; Wade added 22 points, and Bosh, “Bosh who?” The Wade and LeBron duo totaled 54 points. Udonis Haslem # 40, didn’t matter he had a patched eye, still played to win. Joel Anthony # 50 picked up his 5th foul with about 5 minutes left in Q4 but he was getting the job done. “Not in my house.” Heat fans started filing out of the American Airlines Arena with 2 minutes left. “We got this.” They felt sure the Heat would maintain its 77-93 lead.
Monthly Archives: May 2012
Miami Heat v Indiana Pacers 5/24/2012
A squirrel ran through the Pacers’ dream of winning the 2012 playoffs. The Heat dominated with Dewayne Wade # 3 shooting 61 percent, with triple doubles, 41 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists. LeBron James and D. Wade hit 69 of the Heats total 105 points. Mike Miller # 13 and Mario Chalmers # 15 made 7 triples. Without Chris Bosh # 1 and Udonis Haslem # 40, the Heat won a 4th game (105-93) to move on in the playoff finals. Time will tell whether it will be Boston or the 76ers on Monday.
Indiana Pacers v Miami Heat 5/22/12 – Playoff Game 5
The Heat comes out playing with a sense of urgency. Shane Battier # 31 starts the score with a 3-pointer (0-3). A cross over by Dewayne Wade # 3 sends him to the line, then Battier comes back with a second triple. Mario Chalmers # 15 takes a floater to the rim. LeBron James # 6, grabs a rebound then rolls like a locomotive. “Look out, the train is coming.” Hill gets off the track. In a sandwich, Wade loses the ball but at the other end Battier bats it back for Wade to complete the shot he started (7-14). LeBron in the air with an underhanded pass allows Joel Anthony # 50 under the rim to lay up (8-16). Chalmers races down the court but in the paint he pulls back and passes to Battier whose bats a third triple (8-19). It’s raining outside and raining 3′s inside, with Danny Granger # 33 matching triples. Norris Cole # 30 goes flying across cleaning up the paint when Darren Collism # 2 commits an offensive foul (18-23). With seconds in Q1 LeBron hits a triple to send Miami to a 6-point lead (20-26).
Q2 Wade comes back and does what he does; fake, “fooled you.” Then Wade jumps, off-balance, but still hits the bucket and draws a fowl on Lou Amundson # 17. Wade goes to the rim and gets hammered to the floor by Tyler Hansbrough # 50. Instead of making it to the rim, Wade is left face down on the court. A flagrant foul is called on Hansbrough sending Wade to the line. The fans wearing UD-40 band aids, now need some DW-3 band aids. Wade comes back and scores again to give Miami a 7-point lead. Reaching for the ball, Haslem hits the face of Hansbrough instead. That sends Hansbrough to the line and gains a flagrant foul on Haslem (27-32). Scuffling on the floor, Haslem tries to save the ball by calling a time-out (29-32). Haslem with the put-back (31-36), then Wade at the other end goes straight to the rim (31-38). Anthony flies through the air with a clean sweep blocking the ball, sending it out of the ball park. Roy Hibbert # 55 playing against the shot clock and facing triple defense hits a tripe to bring the Pacers within 2 (58-60 Q2) Chalmers heads to the rim, but a pass to Anthony who gets fouled before he makes the hoop. Granger is down under the Heat bench. He limps off the floor. LeBron banks a triple (38-44). It’s getting hot up in here going into the half-time. LeBron advances speed against his defenders and goes up with a circular motion to the rim. The Wade LeBron show is the highlight to take the game into half-time with the Heat leading by .
Q3 Look out Wade, they’re behind you trying to take the ball away,” Too late. LeBron hits his 20th point, a slam to the rim. Grander grabs LeBron’s arm like a date wanting to dance, but Granger is struggling to keep his balance as he limps out-of-bounds and then off the court. Wade performs an acrobatic play going straight through 2 defenders to the rim. He goes down but the ball goes up and in (45-59). Chalmers throws a bom to LeBron, using his football skills LeBron catches with one arm extended in the air, then sends the pass across the floor to Wade at the rim for a slam. Wade finds himself in the arms of some loving fans, who send him back for more action, shouting, “Lets go Heat. Wade goes up with a side twist and guess what? “the ball goes in.” Wade now sends a bom to LeBron who does what he does, with a Slammer, Jammer (47-65).
Q4 LeBron leans in and heads to the rim but leans a little too low making the shot slightly short (52-68). The shoes aren’t important, Mike Miller tosses it to the side line and continues playing with a sock. A sighting of Granger is seen as he rides by in a golf cart heading to the locker room. (Does anyone see Bosh back there?) LeBron banks his 26th point (53-74). Anthony rejects a Pacer shot but the rebound goes back to the Pacers. Wade strides to the rim. Then Norris Cole follows in his footsteps skipping to the rim for 2. Chalmers stops a play by Paul George # 24 nearly sending both to the floor. LeBron backs up against the chest of Barbosa # 28 then his pass sends Haslem to the hoop (66-87). Wade jumps in the air right along side Hansbrough to defend and blocks that shot. LeBron snatches a rebound then dribbles down to shoot over Hansbrough (91-68). Wade hits a triple from the corner (70-99). LeBron with 30 points and 8 assist, and Wade with 28 points take a seat to a standing ovation by admiring fans (Q4 3:35 74-100). The bench comes in and maintains the Heat’s lead. Juwan Howard # 5 of the Fab 5 knocks down a jumper (76-104). Dexter Pittman # 45 and Lance Stephensen # 6 collide then both go down. James Jones # 22, the winner of the 2011 All Star 3-point competition comes in hitting back-to-back triples, (send some love to him mom for that) taking Miami’s score into the stratosphere with a record 61% shooting performance (78-113). Miami takes game 3 (83-115).
Indiana Pacers v Miami Heat, 2012 Playoff Game 1 – 5/13/12
Mother’s Day is a happy day for Gloria, the Miami Heat and 16,000 fans. Congratulations to LeBron James for the 2011-2012 Kia MVP award.
Q1 A body bump by Danny Granger # 33 sends Mario Chalmers # 15 out-of-bounds, allowing Chris Bosh # 1 to hit the Heat’s first field goal (4-4). In the paint and under the rim is like a dark alley, Udonis Haslem # 40 gets sandwiched then mugged. Bosh gets the rebound inside, then roaring like a lion he goes back up and its good (13-6). Paul George # 24 picks up his 2nd foul. Bosh is off at the line, “No problem,” he goes up and puts back the rebound for 2 (13-8). Wade goes down the lane and hits 2 (15-10). With a quick fast-break up the floor, Wade sends a long pass to Lebron with for throw-down (15-12). Shane Battier # 31 to Wade for 2, it rims out but LeBron covers and puts it back (19-14). Jump ball to Heat (19-16). LeBron with the ball but 3 defenders on his sides block the road to the rim, making it clear, “You are not coming through here.” That slows down LeBron but he finds a detour to the rim. Mike Miller # 13 dodges in the paint to give the Heat a one-point lead (19-20). Granger attempts to stop LeBron but picks up his 2nd foul sending LeBron to the line.Tyler Hansbrough # 50 over Battier hits 2 just before the end of Q1. Shootng over 50% Pacers lead by 2 at the end of Q1 (23-20).
Q2 Wade at the line brings Miami within 1 (23-22). Leandro Barbosa # 28 dribbles with concentration then goes up for 2 (25-22). Daren Collison # 2 pulls up in the lane and goes to the line for a 3-point play (28-24). Wade backs-up to the rim but the Pacers’ defense blocks sending the ball back to the Pacers. Wade in the back court with a clear path to the rim makes an easy uncontested 2 (30-26). A steal by Battier but LeBron gets fouled. Triple defense guarding the rim, Pacers take the ball from the Heat (34-28). Haslem caught up in the body of a Pacer and the foul call (Q2 5:49) lose ball foul on the Pacers who have held on to their lead (36-30) and holds Miami at 40% shooting with 5 turnovers. Bosh jumps on a fade-away with arms and legs spread and hits 2 (36-34). Bosh loses the ball but keeps his focus(38-34). David West # 21 sends Miller to the floor. Wired, the Pacer’s coach says, “Pass.” Jumping for a Heat rebound, under the rim, Roy Hibbert # 55 draws a foul and goes to the line (42-35). Bosh keeps his eye on the rim despite defenders clinging tight. His shot is good (42-37). This time Bosh takes his eye off the rim and his shot comes up short and no call (42-37). With triple defense under the rim the Pacers take the offensive rebound. Wade takes the ball and heads to the rim, but George Hill # 3 advancing from behind is determined to keep Wade from reaching the rim, sending Wade to the line instead (46-39). The arm of Hibbert hits Bosh’s arm as Bosh explodes to the rim with a tamahok stretch, then goes down to the floor where he stays down, on his knees, then gets up slowly. At the other end Bosh goes down again then out of the game with an abdominal injury. Barbosa flying to the rim gets a charge call. Wade’s slam gets blocked. Half comes to ab end with the Pacers dominating the paint and leading by 6 (48-42). Eight turnovers in the first half dampens the Heat’s score.
Bosh with an abdominal sprain does not come back out of the locker room in Q3. Even without Bosh, the Heat is ready for a fight coming out of the locker-room fired up. Ronny Turiaf # 21, speaks 5 languages of defense. Mario Chalmers snatches a rebound but a foul call on George Hill gives him his 4th foul. Getting physical Turiaf slams in the rim (48-48). Wade takes a steal and races to the other end to bring Miami within 2. The crowd is stomping and shouting, “Defense.” West’s rebound goes to Haslem whose energy is explosive. LeBron puts a stop to Hibbert. Mario in front and LeBron behind, Paul George #24 goes to the line with a taste of double defense (50-46). Mario holding the ball, “Shoot, shoot.” He goes to the rim then gets his own rebound. LeBron focuses on the rim then races under the rim, throws the ball up and the ball finds the rim (50-48). Turiaf & Haslem apply double defense sending Pacers to the line (52-48), giving them some of their own medicine. D. Wade goes to the rim but Hibbert meets him with arms stretched in the air and sends Wade to the line (52-50). LeBron with a jumper to tie the game at 52. An offensive foul on George Hill # 5 for charging Chalmers, sends Chalmers sliding across the floor and Hill with his 5th personal foul. Heat fans shout, “Defense,” but Granger hits 3. (Q3 6:52 55-52). Ronny Turiaf covers for Bosh putting a stop to the Pacers’ shot. With the shot clock expiring, LeBron scores (58-56). Wade over George hits 2 (61-58) Good defense gets Heat the ball; from LeBron to Turiaf for a slam. At the line the crowd sends love to LeBron, shouting MVP as LeBron ties the score and puts Miami in the lead (61-62). Chalmers throws an over-the-shoulder right hook but Pacer defense is determined to keep it out. Chalmers makes 2 at the line to keep up the Heat’s the lead (63-64). LeBron jumps for the rebound. Coming down the lane, Darren Collison # 2 races making contact with Chalmers.
Gaining a steal, George # 24 goes up to the rim and hangs, knocking down Joel Anthony # 50, with an offensive foul (66-64). Battier for 3, LeBron puts back the rebound. A rebound to LeBron ties the score (66-66), LeBron’s shot is off when he gets trapped by defenders. Wade drives, Pacers close in, 2 blue shirts reach in, still Wade hangs on to the ball and goes up to the rim, its good (68-68). Wade to Anthony in the paint jumps to attack the rim for 2 The score is tied. Pacers run down the 3rd quarter clock but it doesn’t pay off. Q3 ends with a score 68-68.
Q4 the score is tied 70-70 when a Heat turnover sends Battier and Barbosa # 28 to the floor. LeBron grabs Barbosa’s rebound and races to the other end where Anthony puts back his shot as it rims out. Heat starts applying the defense. Wade draws a 3rd foul on West as Wade goes up, rotating in the air. Throwing up, Wade goes down, then to the line to give the heat a 2-point lead. Tight Heat defense causes a turn-over from the Pacers to the Heat. Wade’s shot is blocked by Pacers’ defense but Anthony gets the rebound (72-74). Battier in a fight with Hasbro # 50 for dominance. LeBron jumps with a difficult release but makes it. At the other end, Miller, with the energy of a tiger leaps for a rebound. Granger takes a foul. Wade in the paint jumps over his defenders giving the Heat a 6-point lead (72-78). Barbosa hits 3 (74-78). LeBron responds with a jumper. LeBron at the line advances the Heat’s lead (Q4 74-82). Fighting for position sends Barbosa to the line for 1. The Heat finds its rhythm. LeBron with a jumper adds 2 (77-84 Q4 6:29). LeBron jumps for 2 but contacts his opponent and draws his first foul. George bumps Wade giving George his 4th foul with 5:04 remaining in Q4 (80-84). George Hill # 3 knocks down 3 to bring the Pacers within 1 (85-86). LeBron goes up with Hibbers and Gorege all over him making contact, the foul is called on George and that keeps Hibbert with 5 fouls in the game. The Heat takes a rebound that sends LeBron down the court exploding at the rim with a slam (85-90). The energy in the American Airlines Arena is overwhelming as the Heat races down the line (85-90 3:02). Wade gets chased down, as the Fans shout, “Let’s go Heat.” (Q4 2:59 86-90). A pass from LeBron to Wade goes back to LeBron at the rim, sends LeBron to the line. “We are right there,” is heard from the Pacers bench as the 2 minute clock sounds. Under pressure, with 1:41 the pacers turnover (86-92). Contact as Anthony grabs a rebound sends him to the line adding 1. Wade down on the floor dribbles his way out like a Globetrotter, then a pass to LeBron adds 2 (86-95). With Bosh out, Wade and LeBron turn up the temperature to take game one against the Indiana Pacers with a final score of 86-95.
Heat Prepares for the Indiana Pacers
The Heat turns a corner in their 2012 season.
With the New York Knicks in the rear view mirror, that gives Norris Cole the ability to step out of the shadows of the New York phenomenon Jeremy Lin, a great baller. When pressure is applied Norris becomes Cole Train. Fans are singing, “Bring back the soul …” Focus on your center and the swag that defines you will come.”
Chris Bosh played the 5th game against the Knicks a little more reserved. Fans are shouting, “We want Chris Bosh back, we don’t care if you fall. That’s what makes you a dynamo, not afraid of falling.” They say, you can’t be successful until you’re not afraid of failing. We know that Chris Bosh is not afraid. “Go Chris.”
Joel Anthony, we know your strength is shot-blocking. When we see you grounded and centered under the rim, we say, “Can’t move that mountain.” But, sometimes our strength is also our weakness. Don’t give the defense the opportunity to count 1001, 1002, then they pounce, before you make it up to the rim. Take a leap (of faith) like Wilt the Stilt and fly up to the rim without going down.
Mario Chalmers, if I had to bet on the first horse out of the gate, I’d bet my money on your speed. But sometimes you’re moving so fast, the ball gets left behind. That results in a turnover. If I could have your speed, then sprinkle a little more focused concentration for control, I’d have a winning recipe and cook it all the way to the bank.
D. Wade, also known as the closer, when you lock something in that concentrated mind of yours, it’s a done deal. We see it in your eyes. They say the eyes lead to the soul. Your power is in your eyes. When you focus on the rim, we have never seen you miss. When you take the ball in your hands, DECIDE is this a pass-play or am I going to the rim. Your decision along with your eyes on the target, locks in the result. We have all seen that D. Wade determination, like a laser, and we know that when you have it you can’t miss.
Udonis Haslem, when you do your thing, like dominating the rim and getting those rebounds we are holding our breath that you don’t sallow your mouth piece. You seem to always have it under control so we’ll try to stop worrying. Just keep doing what you do best.
Hey guys, this competition is not only on the court, it’s in your personal lives too. Hopefully your spouses and significant others understand, we’re gonna need all your concentration and energy.
New York Knicks v Miami Heat – Playoff Game 5 5/9/12
The New York Knicks visited the Heat’s house in American Airlines Arena for what would be the last game of their season. With the basketball phenomenon Jeremy Lin # 17 recovering on the bench from an injury, and Amare Stoudemire # 1 fouling out in Q4, that left Carmelo Anthony # 7 to play his heart out, but his 41 points were not enough for a win.
In Q1 When Mike Bibby # 20 hits a triple, Mike Miller # 13 answers with a triple. Miami is trailing (20-17). Then Tyson Chandler # 6 collides with Shane Battier # 31 and sends Miami ahead (20-22). Battier takes to the road for a triple (22-25). Joel Anthony # 50 gets an offensive rebound and goes back up. Then Miller comes in with a triple (24-28). Udonis Haslem # 40 snatches his 4th rebound. At the end of Q1 Heat lead by 4.
Toney Douglas # 23 from Florida State steps in for his first playoff. Jared Jeffries # 9 hits 3 to bring New York within 2. Miller is hot with his 3rd triple (26-31). Dewayne Wade # 3 on the move towards the target with 2 defenders on each side, twisting and dodging Wade hits 2. Chandler aggressively blocks both Wade and then Joel Anthony putting a stop to both their shots. Splitting two defenders, and a behind the back pass, from Wade to Chris Bosh # 1, Bosh hits 2 and goes to the line for a 3-point play (Q2 8:53 30-36). Then Bosh picks up his 7th offensive rebound allowing Wade to hit a bucket giving the Heat an 8-point lead (30-38). Heat loses the ball but they get it back at the other end. A long pass from Mario Chalmers # 15 to Wade under the rim, results in an uncontested bucket. “Let me show you how we roll,” LeBron says with a slam to give Miami a 10 point lead (34-44). Mario Chalmers is all over Landry Fields # 2. Stoudemire shoots 2 over Joel Anthony then meets Wade at the other end (40-44). Taking a pass from LeBron, Chalmers calmly hits 3 (42-48). LeBron goes inside for 2, then Wade spins and hits 2 (44-52). J.R. Smith # 8 gets stripped and called with the foul sending Chalmers to the line. LeBron is getting plenty of exercise with Carmelo Anthony pushing and shoving, competing for dominance. Wade hits a difficult shot and draws the foul (44-55). At the end of Q2 the Knicks are shooting 51% but still trailing.
A pass from Wade to LeBron makes a 3-pointer look easy (50-60). Ducking a defender Bosh strides to the rim them slams (54-64). Mike Bibby strips the ball, however it gets striped from Stoudemire back to the Heat. Stoudemire picks up his 4th foul. Haslem on his way to the rim gets fouled by Stoudemire, his 5th foul with 6:41 in Q3. Stoudemire pumps his fist in frustration, yea the injured one, as he heads to the bench. Three attempts by the Knicks and they get all three rebounds, then take the rim (56-64). A sighting of Lil Wayne is seen as Bosh gets a pass with seconds on the shot clock. It’s good (56-66). LeBron drives toward the rim, to his right Bosh is coming in for a landing, Bosh slams the ball as it tries to rim out (58-69). Knicks ball rims out then a fast break to the other end, LeBron to Wade adds 2. LeBron gets the ball but not the way he wanted it, in his face, “No joking,” he goes down. Fans hold their breath (60-73). LeBron slowly moves then climbs back up, shaking himself off slowly, then, like a blast, he’s off to the races like Superman, or was it Jim Brown. Bosh goes to the rim but ends up at the line with 13 points and 13 rebounds (this double-double comes with fries). Ahead by 15, LeBron races in for the rebound. LeBron’s defense mellow’s Carmelo and slows him down. A technical on the Knicks sends LeBron to line (60-76). LeBron hits a long 2 as Wade and Bosh take a break on the bench (Q3 1:09). Carmelo hits 3, then fouls Battier in a 3-point play (65-81), not good. LeBron knows what time it is, although the Heat is ahead by 16 points he still plays with aggression like he’s losing. It’s not over til the lady with the skinny legs sings. Chandler misses and Chalmers knocks the ball away for a Heat recovery. Mario hits 3 to take the heat up 17 (69-86 9:51 Q4). That pisses Chandler off and he comes back at the other end with a vicious block.
With 4:48 minutes left in Q4 and Heat leading by 17 (80-96) Stoudemire fouls out of the game. He goes out in a blaze of white-hot heat (80-96). Over Fields, with 4 on the shot-clock Bosh jumps and hangs from the rim for 2 (86-99). Carmelo’s defense does not stop Wade’s behind-the-back pass for 2 (88-101). With a minute on the shot clock Battier hits 3 to seal the deal that the Heat will advance to take on the Indiana Pacers while the Knicks will go home for the season. Final Score is 94-106. Carmelo, Wade and LeBron embrace with joy and disappointment as the Heat heads to Game 1 against Indiana but the Knicks walk through that locker room for the last time this season.
Miami Heat v New York Knicks Playoff Game 4 5/6/2012
Carmelo Anthony # 7 with 41 points throws a life line to keep New York Knicks in the 2012 NBA Playoffs.
Amare Stoudemire # 1 is back with a circular line of stitches in the palm of his left hand looking like a stitched baseball. He wears a pad of white gall 8 layers deep covering the stitches. Stoudemire comes in attacking with determination not to lose knowing its win or go home. The Knicks averaging 20 turnovers per game pick up their first foul a minute-and-a-half into the game. Dewayne Wade # 3 takes a step and bounces up to the rim (4-1). Carmelo Anthony races in to steal a pass but ends up like a bowling ball, flattening the ref and the camera men on the floor under him. A long pass from Mario Chalmers # 15 to LeBron James # 6 makes it to the hoop (6-1). Dewayne Wade intercepts Baron Davis # 85 then takes long strides to the bucket (8-1). Udonis Haslem # 40 over 2 defenders goes up for 2. A fast past from Amare Stoudemire makes it to the rim. Stoudemire comes back again with 2 (10-7). With good timing Chris Bosh # 1 fakes his defenders, they go up but he stays down. Then they come down, he goes up to the rim. A steal to Miami but 2 Knicks defenders kidnap their ball back then scratch and claw for 2 (12-9). Stoudemire with determination goes to the rim with a slam. grabbing a rebound Stoudemire goes back up for 2 (12-15). Bosh going up for the rebound draws a foul on Baron Davis. Mike Miller # 13 passes to LeBron deep under the rim, amazingly LeBron stretches and reaches the hoop (14-15). A crash into LeBron gives Stoudemire his second foul with 2:42 in Q1. Airborne, both Tyson Chandler # 6 and Shane Battier # 31 meet chest-to-chest in the air, drawing Battier’s first foul. James scores 2 with defenders on him like bees on a honeycomb. Mario Chalmers # 15 catches the ball on the tips of his fingers but the ball rolls off and he dives to catch it. Chalmers pulls up and shoots, Joel Anthony # 50 races in to catch the rebound and sends it packing to the rim. J.B. Smith # 8 wearing down the clock, Battier picks up his 2nd foul giving the Knicks a lead at the close of Q1. The Knicks bring Q 1 to an end with a 2-point lead (18-20).
Wade sets-up at the line with bullets of shining sweat running down his face. James pushes off and jumps like a leopard, defense Jared Jeffries # 9 could not keep up. Chalmers sneaks in through the back-door under the rim and adds 2 taking back the Heat’s lead (24-20). Joel Anthony with a rebound causes Stoudemire to get his 3rd foul sending him angrily out of the game sucking his teeth and pushing his mouth piece in and out of his mouth addressing the floor with some harsh words. Wade leaps up with arms reaching with magnetic fingers and comes back down with a rebound. Carmelo knocks down Bosh who bounces on the floor on his butt, but Bosh comes back with an open shot and sends the Heat up 10 points. Wade deflects the ball from the Knicks offense, sending it out-of-bounds. Even though Wade didn’t get the ball, he frustrated his opponent’s shot. Smith picks up his 2nd foul (30-22). A foul call on Tyson Chandler sends him walking towards the bench, waiving his hand with disgust. Carmelo jumps grabbing the rebound then goes back up for 2. 32-26). LeBron gets hit on the elbow giving Chandler his 2nd foul and sending LeBron to the line adding 2 (34-28). Heat technical sends Knicks up 1 (34-29), but then they turn it back over with a 24-second violation. Chandler’s shot is off, the rebound goes to Bosh making Chandler fuming mad. He aggressively snatches at the ball in Bosh’s hands mumbling explicates. The ref calls a personal and a technical foul. Treading on thin ice, Chandler picks up his 3rd foul. On the bench frustrated, he watches as 3-points result from his action. At the line Bosh pauses to focus on the basket then he makes a clean shot right to the target (37-29). Lose ball foul against Wade sends Davis to the line (37-32). Carmelo Anthony and James in the tussle get a double foul call on both. Udonis Haslem # 40 dives over his contenders under the rim for the rebound but instead gets a foul call. Smith pushes Wade sending him out-of-bounds then to the line where D. Wade gets his rhythm back. Knicks down by 6 at half-time (44-38).
Heat holds knicks scoreless in first 5 minutes of Q3. With the shot clock running down Wade scores on a jumper (47-38 Q3 10:10) While taking a shot, LeBron nips Carmelo Anthony’s nose giving LeBron his 3rd foul. Then Stoudemire draws a 4th foul on Haslem. Haslem comes back fighting to maintain the ball then gets it up for 2 (49-40). Both teams are 0 for 10. Wade to Bosh for 2 (51-40). Stoudemire twists and turns dribbling in the paint then shoots but his ball is way short (51-42). Stoudemire inside jumps to the rim and draws the foul (51-45). A steal results in a lay-up by the Knicks that cuts the Heat’s lead to 4-points. Joel Anthony picks up his 5th foul. Bosh with the rebound, but a steal by Smith gives the Knicks 2 (51-49). Baron Davis leading in the race to the rim falls down with a travel call. Davis down, his head resting on the floor makes no effort to get up, he’s hurt. The game comes to a halt with a time out. Baron Davis is rolled out on a stretcher. Back to the game, Bosh draws a 4th foul on Chandler. At the line Bosh advances the Heat’s lead to 2 (52-50). Carmelo gets his 22nd point to tie the score. Wade with a behind the back pass heads to the rim, but Chandler with ulterior motives forcefully meets Wade at the rim and puts a stop to that shot sending it the other way. On defense, shot-blocking Joel Anthony does what he does, but hits the back glass for a foul, giving Knicks a 3-point lead (52-55). Miami struggling at the line, Q3 takes a turn for the Knicks. From down by 11 the Knicks catch up. Joel Anthony goes up to the rim but Chandler picks up his 5th foul blocking from behind. Foul trouble doesn’t matter, Chandler proudly shakes his head as he heads to the bench. “Yeah, I’m the man.” At the line Joel Anthony brings the Heat within 1 (58-59). Mike Bibby adds 3 (58-62). The Knicks get fired up. James hits 3 to bring the Heat within 3 as Q3 comes to an end (61-64).
Wade is blocked by Stoudemire. Steve Novak hits 3 to push the Knicks lead up 4 (63-67). Shane Battier in the paint shoots to tie the game (67-67). Wade steps back for space and fires up his shot hitting the bucket (69-67). The crowd comes back to life shouting defense. Chalmers flies to the rim dodging through defense with a dunk but Stoudemire zooms in on his jet like a bat-out-of-hell and puts a stop to that (Q4 8:28). On his way to the rim Wade gets tangled up with Smith who steps on Wade’s ankle, he goes down holding his left ankle with lines of pain on his face. A 4th personal foul on LeBron, Spike Lee sporting a black hat and suit with contrasting red and white, jumps out on the floor and starts refereeing the game, pointing to the other end. “Knicks ball.” Heat has a 1-point lead. Wade jumps up with his defender but comes back down with a foul. His face shining with sweat expresses frustration at the call. With 5:57 minutes potentially left for the Knicks’ life in the 2012 playoffs, they increase their defense. Stoudemire forcefully slaps Wade to the floor to stop his shot. Bosh’s shot brings Heat within 1 (77-78). With just over 4 minutes, James at the line gives Heat a 1-point lead (79-78). Bibby’s shot is blocked by Chalmers. 3:27 remain in this game. Wade puts on his shot-blocking hat and stops a crucial shot for the Knicks with the Heat leading by 1 and 3 minutes to play.
Licking his lips a the line Carmelo makes 1 of 2. Stoudemire aggressively jumps for the rebound but loses the ball to the Heat giving them 2. The Knicks respond with 2 evening the score (81-81) with 1:49 to play. Heat’s 3-pointer from the corner heads toward the rim . Heat fans back in Miami are on the edge of their seats as the ball flies in the air. The ball finds another destination. Bibby from the corner hits 3 giving the knicks a 3-point lead with under a minute. The energy of the Knicks’ fans can be felt all the way back in Miami. LeBron hits 3 to tie the game (84-84).With less than a minute on the board Carmelo hits 3 giving the Knicks a 3-point lead. Battier fouls Carmelo sending him to the line, but Carmelo misses both shots. Heat fans soaking in the Miami sun, take a sigh with hope in their hearts. With Chandler all over him, LeBron hits 2 and at the line adds 1 to make it a 1-point game. Haslem fouls out. Stoudemire hits 1 at the line, the 2nd rebounds to Wade. The game comes down to one last shot and we all know the ball is going to the closer. But the Knicks know it too, so they triple-team Wade chasing and putting him under pressure. He is desperate as the clock runs down, he shoots, Heat fans hold their breath. The ball bounces off the rim and out. It’s no good and it’s too late for Heat to come back now. Victory streamers fly through the air in Madison Square Gardens as the Knicks and their fans jump for joy at their win with a final score 87-89.
Miami Heat v New York Knicks 5/3/12 Play-off Game 3
At Madison Square Gardens, the Heat controls the tip but at the basket Tyson Chandler # 6 blocks sending the ball 4 rows into the stands. A shot at the line puts the Knicks on the scoreboard. Landry Fields # 2 is wide open in the paint for the rebound and sends it back up for 2 (3-4). Chris Bosh # 1 triples from the corner. Mario Chalmers # 15 hits from downtown (9-4). Dewayne Wade # 3 gets an elbow in the face and draws the foul. Chalmers’ steal sends the LeBron James/D. Wade duo to the rim for 2 (11-5). Carmelo Anthony # 7 collides with LeBron in the paint sending LeBron to the floor. Ref pretends he doesn’t see, but Carmelo goes on to dribble out-of-bounds. Bosh goes down but he gets up then heads to the rim. LeBron goes to the rim and draws the foul on Steve Novak # 16 (19-10). Knicks’ defense makes a fast break hustling to the other end to set-up.
Heat has been in the lead but New York goes on a mini run. Baron Davis # 85 weaves into the paint over Mike Miller # 13, Foul call on Miller. Davis to the line. Then a slam dunk (31-40). Now the Heat is on. Shane Battier # 31 and Carmelo Anthony on the floor. Technical against Carmelo. LeBron takes the shot (32-40). Heat down 6 as Q 2 winds down, LeBron drives in for 2 (34-40). Fans in the Garden are on their feet. 24-second shot clock runs out for the Knicks. Heat with 3 seconds on the clock takes a time out just before half-time. Wade races against the clock to make the basket bringing Heat’s score within 4 (36-40).
Q3 LeBron gets 3rd foul. Chalmers hits a triple to bring Heat within 1 point (39-40). Shooting off-center, LeBron’s shot is no good. On a fast break, but the Heat is out of rhythm. Heat turn over, Wade gets it back. LeBron with 2 in the paint, draws a foul for a
3-point play to tie the score (42-42). With 3 to shoot, LeBron gets a travel called. Whether his foot moved is questionable, but his rhythm is definitely off. LeBron goes to the line with his 4th foul. Relax Breathe, breathe, take a deep breath. It’s ugly. Heat with 14 turnovers. LeBron makes contact wth Carmelo Anthony to get a 5th foul. That takes him out of the game, for now. Maybe sitting on the bench will give LeBron a chance to re gain focused momentum. Wade’s shooting is off-rhythm. Foul on Haslem. Battier misses 3. NY 3-second violation sends Wade to the line for 1. That ties the score. Wade picks up 2nd foul (43-43). Wade runs into the paint and finger rolls for 2. Wade hits a triple to give Miami its lead back (48-44). With his side-kick L.J. on the bench, Wade steps up and hits another 3 (51-46). Miller gets a rebound 3:41 Q3. Carmelo Anthony goes to the line when Battier blocks his ball. 24-second violation. Heat is ahead but still playing with desperation. They know how quickly things can change. Bosh tips out to Chalmers but no good. We need some Heat in the Garden. Bosh boomerangs J.R. Smith’s ball sending it back, but Carmelo comes back to hit 2 with Wade on his arm (51-51). Miller goes into the paint, with Carmelo Anthony in hot pursuit. At the line Miller is off, making 1 of 2, but he comes back and hits a triple (55-51). Jared Jeffers # 9 hugs Wade sending him to the line. Wade’s rhythm is off making 1 of 2 at the line (56-53). Wade steals, then a fast break to the rim adds 2 (58-53). Mike Bibby # 20 open responds with 3. (Q 4 58-56).
LeBron comes back into the game with focus and rhythm and hits 3. Then he gets a rebound, adding 3 to give the Heat a 10-point lead (66-56). His bottled up energy is focused now. Chalmers into the paint but offensive foul by Jeffers sends Jeffers slowly limping off the floor. Spike Lee entertains on the sidelines in his Halloween colors, orange and black hat and jacket sport’n Fields # 2 on the back. Smith goes into the paint and slams in 2 (66-58). “Okay Smith, we’ll give you that one.”
LeBron is on the edge of the court, “Hey ref we need to talk.” Trying to set the record straight. Carmelo at the line adds 2 (66-60). LeBron drives in with a finger roll and draws a foul on Carmelo (69-60). Chalmers’ steal, does not convert for the Heat. A 3-point shot from the corner for the Knicks does not count. Instead, Carmelo picks up his 4th foul 6:42 in Q 4. Wade hits 3 (71-62). The Heat is on. Chalmers is open for 3 giving Miami its largest lead of the night (74-62). Chalmers for 3 again and its good (77-62). There is silence in the house. Wade squeezes Novak in the corner resulting in a shot clock violation. Heat defense tightens to get another shot clock violation on the Knicks. At the line LeBron adds 2 (79-64).
It’s getting physical up in here – 2 Knicks down and Wade is flying into the lap of Assistant Coach Bob McAdoo. “Hey, get back out there on the court.” A turnover sends Knicks ball to Chalmers (79-65), but it goes back to the Knicks when a stumble sends Bosh sliding across the floor and out-of-bounds. Bosh at the line hits 1 of 2 (80-68 2:14). Wade’s jumper gives Bosh his 9th rebound. LeBron hits his 30th point. Bosh grabs a 10th rebound (82-68). Chalmers puts icing on the cake with another 3 in the final minute of the game. LeBron hits 2 more. JR smith responds with 2 (87-70). The Heat leaves Madison Square Gardens with their 3rd play-off win, final score (87-70).
Bosh with good timing makes it back to New York in time for class. Koodos to Adrian and our new baby Jackson (J.B.) back here in Miami. Thank you Adrian for supporting Bosh to be back in his seat when the bell rang. You’ll make a good mother. A glimpse of Jeremy Lynn is seen on the side lines in a dapper-dan stylish dark suit. Along with him sits Amare Stodemire who hurt his hand in the Miami locker room after game 2. Good nutrition, rest, and exercise play a vital role in maintaining energy levels necessary for a vigorous performance. However, no matter how great your talents or how deep your pocketbook, emotional intelligence trumps. We penalize ourself and our team by losing control of our emotions. In life our decisions determine whether we sink or swim.
New York Knicks v Miami Heat 4/30/12 Play-off game 2
American Airlines Arena is filled with white-hot heat. What started as a rainy night ends with a party at 601 Biscayne Blvd., as the Heat takes a 2 game lead over the New York Knicks’ aggressive defense (94-104). In a concerted effort the Heat team maintains rhythm and finds the shooters – Dewayne Wade # 3 with 25 points, Chris Bosh # 1 with 21, and LeBron James # 6 with 19 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds. Mike Miller # 13 and Shane Battier combine to shoot 17 points. Heat point-guard Mario Chalmers # 15 effectively playing in crunch time, steps up big time with 13 points, 9 in Q 4. Countering their offense, the Heat holds the Knicks down with stat stumping defense. The Heat now heads to Madison Square Gardens anticipating the Knicks’ challenging and aggressive style.
In Q 1 Miami takes the lead 8-11 with 5:25 remaining. Bosh draws a 2nd foul early in the game. At the line Amare Stodemire # 1 adds 2 (10-11). LeBron’s bounce pass to Joel Anthony # 50 then Dewayne Wade hits over the kissing-close defense of the Knicks (10-13). Rebound Udonis Haslem # 40, pass to LeBron who sends a no-look pass; looking the other way LeBron sends the ball to Wade leaving the defense confused, while Wade heads to the rim for 2. LeBron’s shot is no good but he comes back with the rebound and this time it’s good (10-17). At the line LeBron adds another point (10-18). Carmelo Anthony # 7 adds 2 (12-18). Miami’s second turnover, Battier loses the ball. Pass by Battier ends up in a fumble then out-of-bounds off the hands of New York. Bibby for 3 (16-18). LeBron races home shifting from right to left and its good (17-20). Anthony over Battier for 2 (19-20). Norris Cole # 30 hits 3 (19-22). Carmelo Anthony goes up for a dunk with Battier behind and LeBron in front. He doesn’t make it but adds 2 at to the fowl line (21-22). LeBron’s pass is deflected out-of-bounds by Carmelo, then on the inbound Battier on a pass from Miller jumps to the rim for 2 (21-24). Carmelo steps up to the rim and slams over Miller and Joel Anthony, to bring the score within 1 (23-24). Battier returns the slam. (23-27). The crowd shouts defense as Carmelo Anthony draws a 2nd foul on Battier and adds 1 at the line to put New York 3-points behind as Q1 comes to an end (24-27).
Q2 Chalmers falls towards the rim but draws a foul, adding 1 at the line (24-28). A rebound to the Knicks ends up rolling on the floor. Tyson Chandler # 6 slams in a ball that was riming out of the bucket. Did I hear a technical foul call? (26-29). Steve Novak # 16 hits 3 to tie the score (29-29), followed by an alley-hoop to put the Knicks ahead (31-29). Wade inside, with a perfectly timed jump, hits the rim to tie the score 31-31. After five New York attempts with no success, Chalmers ends up with the ball but goes down along with Bosh and another body flying across the floor. Smith gets the fowl. Bosh goes to the line adding 2 and Bibby gets a 2nd personal fowl. Knicks with a turnover, sends the ball to the Heat. Chandler’s shot is a no go, with a rebound to LeBron. Bosh loses the ball to the Knicks but the rebound comes back to Bosh. LeBron coming down the lane, rotates to Jones. Carmelo with the rebound. Chalmers is tight on Novak, but JR Smith # 8 hits a long 2 to tie the score 33-33. Chalmers with eye contact to LeBron, sends a sky pass to LeBron up at the rim for 2. That was so fast I nearly missed it. New York responds with a fast 2. Wade with a pass from LeBron hits 2 (35-37). Bibby passes to Stodemire for 2 (37-37). Wade, surrounded with double defense attempts 2, it’s no good, no problem, Wade goes to the line for 2 (37-39). JR with the shot clock down to 4 hits 2 (36-39). Battier, wide open with time to set up hits 3 (39-42). Aggressive defense, Battier knocks the ball away, Stodemire hustles sending Battier to the floor and the ball out-of-bounds. Heat ball but New York gets it back, the shot is no good, Bosh with the rebound and pass to LeBron, then to Bosh who draws a fowl on Novak. At the line Bosh adds 1 (39-43). LeBron defends tenaciously to keep Carmelo from the rim. Hey Ref, you missed that no call on the contact by Carmelo on LeBron. Bosh with the rebound for 2 (39-45). With 4 to shoot Bibby’s attempt is no good. At the other end LeBron misses giving Stodemire an opportunity to hammer home for 2 with 2:34 remaining in Q2 (41-45). Bosh gets rejected by Stodemire. Something went wrong with that play, but don’t let it disrupt your rhythm. Stay intense but calm. Bosh at the line adds 2 (43-47). Good defense by the Heat. Sandwiched between LeBron and Wade keeps New York offense from scoring. Carmelo hammers down 2 (45-47). Fans shout, “Lets to Heat.” With 1:23 in Q 2 a turnover sends the ball back to the Heat. Wade comes back with a jumper for 2 (45-49). Heat Rebound to Wade with eyes behind his head, sending LeBron diving to the rim with a monster slam (45-51). Look out, here comes LeBron again with 2. The fans are on their feet. “Stodemire, you can’t touch this.” The crowd shouts MVP as LeBron goes to the line. Carmelo scores off the glass (47-53). Wade throws as the half-time buzzer goes off. No point. Hey, come on ref, I need to talk to you about that point.That play should have counted.” Q2 comes to an end with the Heat in the lead.
Q 3 Wade with seconds on the shot clock hits from the paint (49-55). Then, with 2 on the shot-clock Baron Davis # 85 hits a triple (52-55). A pass from LeBron to Bosh at the rim adds 2 (52-57). Travel on Stodemire results in a 7th turnover by the Knicks (Q3 9:33). Udonis Haslem with the rebound and good ball movement under the rim, the Heat draws the foul to add 2 at the line (52-58). Carmelo to Chandler hammers it home. Looking to his right, a defender’s on the floor, considerate of his opponent’s health, LeBron hesitates. No fowl call and the defender’s okay, LeBron passes to Chalmers for 3. Wade denies Stodemire. “Not in my house” (54-61). LeBron under pressure with 3 on the shot clock, his jumper is a no go. Then Fields for 3 is off. Bosh’s a sky hoop is off but a follow-up over the shoulder is good for 2 (54-63). LeBron swings reaching in, “Get that ball.” Chalmers, with 3 on the shot-clock runs the court with Stodemire defending on his side. Chalmers draws an offensive fowl. Carmelo blocked by Haslem, then a pass to LeBron for 2. LeBron gains a steal and gets away with no capital gains tax, driving to the rim with Smith on his chest and another defender swinging at the ball. LeBron draws the fowl on Smith (56-67). Stodemire over defenders gain 2 (60-67). Davis pokes the ball from Miller’s hands. Heat ball with 14 on the shot- clock, Miller hits a 2nd triple sending the Heat a decade ahead (60-70) (Q3 4:23). Davis to Chandler under the rim, with Bosh and Miller defending, fowl on Miller (63-70). LeBron passes to Haslem under the rim. Haslem spending too much time setting up, goes down to go up, but the defenders are on top of him before he can get off the ground. Davis with 3 on the shot clock hits 3 over Miller (66-71). The air is on. Carmelo shoots air over LeBron then Miller fails to bury a 2-pointer. Rebound to Carmelo with 2 in Q2. Heat gets the rebound. Bounce pass from Chandler to Davis hits 2 wide open (68-82). Hitting a second triple, Battier responds, “I missed that defense, but here’s something for you.” (68-75). Stodemire gets rejected by LeBron. “You didn’t think you would get that in over LeBron, did you?” Stodemire goes to the line for zip. At the line, LeBron steps into the paint too soon and a push from the defender sends LeBron flying. Stodemire misses all 3 at the line. Chalmers to LeBron under the basket, it’s up and in, plus LeBron draws the fowl. The House is on fire (68-78), as Q3 comes to an end. Battier body to body with Carmelo, when a fowl is called on Chalmers. The Knicks add 1 at the line bringing Q 3 to an end with the Heat leading by 9 (69-78).
Maintaining the energy into the fourth quarter, the game is getting physical. Novak with tight defense from Wade gets called for traveling. Q4 11:35. Chalmers hits 3 (69-80). Battier tracks Carmelo Anthony. An offensive foul is called on Carmelo as Joel Anthony defends his turf. Joel Anthony prevents a 3-pointer from JR. It’s rough as bodies go flying. Chalmers is down. Carmelo goes to the line. “Hey ref, what’s with that?” Chalmers hits 2 with a floater at the rim. Now Chalmers is back in the paint drawing an offensive foul on Carmelo Anthony, his 4th fowl. Chalmers hits 2 at the line (71-84) (9:37 in Q4). Novak misses 3, Battier with the rebound. Wade, the leading horse in the race with defenders in hot pursuit, misses a knock down slam. “That was supposed to go in.” At the other end Stodemire hits 2 at the line (73-84). 8:44 in Q4. Wade with a pass from the other end, this time it’s good. A blocking fowl called on Battier sends Stodemire to the line (76-86) (7:55 Q 4). Rebound to the Knicks, and pass to Stodemire under the rim, gets a fowl called on Bosh in the restricted area (77-86). LeBron with the rebound and pass to Chalmers, then to Bosh back to Chalmers for 3 (77-89). A tap by Joel Anthony sends the rebound to LeBron, unsuccessful at the rim leaves Carmelo Anthony with the ball at the other end. LeBron gets pulled down by Baron Davis, both land on to the floor. A cross court pass to Bosh is off. Knicks ball gets turned back over to the Heat when Carmelo runs out-of-bounds (77-89) with 5:43 left in Q 4. Heat lead by 12. Shot clock to 4 LeBron to Bosh in the corner adds 3 (77-92). Pre-game practice pays off. Davis runs into the paint for 2 (79-92) Carmelo jumps for 2 (81-92), bringing the Heat lead down to 11, with just under 4 in the game. Carmelo traps LeBron picking up his fifth fowl. Miller gets fouled by Baron Davis, his 5th fowl (81-92). Miller at the line adds 2 with 3:41 remaining (81-94). LeBron keeps Smith from hitting 3, but JR takes 2 instead. Good ball movement, leaves Battier wide open for 2 (83-97). Baron Davis hits 2, then Wade responds with 2 sending the Heat up by 14 (85-99), with several minutes left to play. JR Smith hits his 10th point (87-99). Then the Wade-Bosh duo responds with a dunk, taking the score over 100 (87-101). Miller’s quick-draw-mcgraw movement causes LeBron to throw the ball to the Knicks bench. Miller’s not there. Miller may have missed that one, but he responds with a triple. J.R. won’t be out-done, he responds with 3 as the clock runs out giving the Heat a 10-point lead over the Knicks in Play-off game 2 (94-104).
