Miami Heat Open Season with a Win Over Charlotte

30Oct

Miami Heat Open Season with a Win Over Charlotte

October 30, 2015 by Raanan Katz

The Miami Heat opened the 2015-2016 season with a win at home against the Charlotte Hortets 104-94. The Heat started Dwyane Wade and Goran Dragic in the backcourt, Luol Deng and Chris Bosh in the frontcourt, and Hassan Whiteside at center. The Hornets send out Kemba Walker and P.J. Hairston in the backcourt, Nicolas Batum and Marvin Williams in the frontcourt, and Al Jefferson at center.

The Heat had stellar play from their top 2 stars Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. Bosh finished the night with 21 points and 10 rebounds while Wade had 20 points and 5 assists. Off the bench, Gerald Green gave the Heat 30 quality minutes scoring 19 points. Jeremy Lin, a new guard with the Hornet came off the bench to score 17 points on 5-10 shooting. Walker added 19 points while Jefferson chipped in with 17. Justise Winslow had a great slam over three Hornets. Check it out below.

The Heat looked good together. Ideally, they’ll want to see more from Hassan Whiteside, the 7 foot center who came on big last year. Whiteside had just 4 points and 6 rebounds after averaging 11.8 points and 10.0 rebounds last year. Another player they’ll want to step up is Goran Dragic. Dragic signed a max deal this summer but contributed just 8 points and 6 assists.

09Dec

Miami Heat’s Road Woes

December 9, 2014 by Raanan Katz

Raanan Katz Miami Heat Wade The Miami Heat are on quite the skid as of recent losing five of their last six games. Throughout their first 18 games, the Heat have struggled with continuity. They have used six different starting lineups in their first 18 games. Dwyane Wade has recently missed seven games due to a hamstring injury, and Luol Deng injured his right hand, leaving him questionable for a couple of recent games.

They started off their losing skid against the Golden State Warriors. Stephen Curry scored 40 points, 24 of which came from 3-ponters. Chris Bosh was the Heat’s leading scorer, raking up 26 points, but that was not enough as they lost 114-97.

The Miami Heat then traveled to New York City and beat the Knicks 86-97. Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade both returned to their teams starting lineup. Wade scored an impressive 27 points, leading his team to a comfortable victory.

The Heat moved their way South to play the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center. The Heat could not contain John Wall as he scored 18 points and 13 assists. Chris Bosh lead the head with 21 points and 8 rebounds, but that was not enough as the Heat ended up losing 86-107.

The Heat then played the red-hot Atlanta Hawks and put up a good fight at home. Luol Deng injured his right hand in the middle of the game and was taken out. Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh lead the team by scoring 28 and 27 respectively. The Heat were shooting 56% from the field, which normally would result in a win. Unfortunately, they were playing the Atlanta Hawks, who have won 6 of their last 7. The Heat lost 102-112.

Dwyane Wade continued to play well on the road, scoring 28 points against the Bucks, but that did not help the team turn out a victory as the Heat still lost 85-109.

Sunday night was a similar turnout. The Heat traveled to Memphis and lost to the Grizzlies 87-103. Dwyane Wade scored 25 points.

The Heat continue their road streak tonight against Phoenix. They then travel to Denver and Utah.

17Nov

With a team suddenly limited by injuries, #Heat coach Erik Spoelstra finds himself relying on Mario Chalmers

November 17, 2014 by Raanan Katz

By Joe

HEAT (5-5) at NETS (4-5), 7:30 p.m., Barclays Center, Sun Sports/FM 104.3, AM 790 and WAQI 710 AM (Spanish)

LINE: Nets by 6 1/2 (Opened at 5 1/2.)

OFFICIALS: Derrick Stafford, Josh Tiven and James Williams

WHY WATCH: To see if the Heat can overcome all these injuries. Dwyane Wade (hamstring) and Josh McRoberts (foot) are both out and now Luol Deng is questionable with an injured wrist.

SPO-SPEAK: “We’re not making any excuses for injuries or guys in and out of the lineup. That’s this league. What we talked about today at shootaround, welcome to the NBA. Every team is dealing with it. If they’re not dealing with it now, then they’re dealing with it at some point. So, it’s how you manage that and how you respond. Are you getting better or getting worse?”

IS MARIO CHALMERS A STARTER OR BACKUP? “You have to get to know your team, and we need Rio to be out there, so I’m trying to balance him to do both. He needs to play 35 minutes plus. He needs to start the game, but he also needs to be our back-up [shooting guard]. Welcome to our team.”

15Nov

About last night …

November 15, 2014 by Raanan Katz

By Joe

MY GAME STORY LINK: CLICK ME!

Poor defense has plagued the Heat during its two-game losing skid. The Pacers out-rebounded the Heat 53-28 on Wednesday on and Friday the Heat’s defense allowed the Hawks to shoot 56 percent from the field.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra…

ON THE LOSS: “There were a handful of times when we were able to impose our will. It takes a tremendous amount of effort, multiple efforts and activity to be able to defend offensive teams like this. We certainly felt with Dwyane [Wade] out that we scored enough to give ourselves a chance to win, but we never got to the defensive disposition and mind-set that you need to win against a team like this in their building.”

ON CHRIS ANDERSEN’S LIMITED MINUTES: “I actually had the intension to play him in the first half, but I went with [Udonis Haslem]. It looked a little bit out there, but Bird will be out there Sunday.”

WHY DID JAMES ENNIS START: “To keep Mario [Chalmers] in the second unit, and to stabilize that unit. Instead, he played 40 minutes.”

Chris Bosh …

ON THE POOR FIRST QUARTER: “We’re not getting off to good starts defensively, whether it’s the …read more

Source:: Raanan Katz – Miami Herald – Miami Heat

14Nov

Stuff about tonight’s game, #Heat (5-3) at #Hawks (4-3)

November 14, 2014 by Raanan Katz

By Joe

HEAT (5-3) at HAWKS (4-3), 7:30 p.m., Sun Sports

LINE: Hawks by 2 (Opened at 3.)

OFFICIALS: Tom Washington, David Jones, JT Orr

WHY WATCH: The Hawks have won three in a row while the Heat is trying to boucne back from its 75-point performance against the No Name Pacers on Wednesday. Both the Heat and Hawks now feature similar offensive styles predicated on ball movement and Friday night’s matchup will be the first of four meetings between the two division opponents this season.

SPO-SPEAK: “It’s not always going to work out smoothly, ball moving, everyone in great rhythm like it was in Dallas. There are games you’re going to have to develop some team and collective grit and figure out how to win. And those can be very gratifying at the end, particularly when you don’t play great.”

13Nov

About last night …

November 13, 2014 by Raanan Katz

By Joe

GAME STORY LINK: CLICK ME!

The Pacers turned ugly into art and embarrassed the Heat 81-75 on Wednesday night at AmericanAirlines Arena. Miami was out-rebounded 53-28. It was the lowest scoring total for the Heat on its home court since the 2009-10 season.

In addition to the rebounding problems, the Heat went 8 of 18 from the free-throw line. The Pacers won despite shooting 37.5 percent from the field and recording more turnovers (16) than assists (13).

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra…

ON THE REBOUNDING: “I’ll have to get to the film, but certainly more block outs and we have to be a gang-rebound team. It can’t be just a one individual and that certainly hurt us tonight. We’re all well aware of that.”

ON THE MISSED FREE THROWS: “These are those types of games that you would really like to see your team to find a way to grind it out when you’re not necessarily in a great rhythm. It’s a defensive game. It’s a grind out game and you like to find a way to win ugly at the end. Whatever, just make some plays. We had some foul trouble. We had some free throw opportunities that we came up short but …read more

Source:: Raanan Katz – Miami Herald – Miami Heat

12Nov

Stuff about tonight’s game: Pacers (2-6) at Heat (5-2)

November 12, 2014 by Raanan Katz

By Joe

PACERS (2-6) AT HEAT (5-2), 7:30 p.m., Sun Sports, ESPN

LINE: Heat by 8 1/2 (Opened at 10.)

OFFICIALS: Scott Foster, Eric Lewis, Eli Roe

WHY WATCH: The Pacers are bruised and broken to begin the season, but tonight’s nationally televised game is still the first matchup between the Heat and Pacers since last season’s Eastern Conference finals.

SPO-SPEAK: “It’s still Indiana, so you know they’re going to bring it defensively,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “They’re not going to allow you to have easy opportunities on the paint. You’re going to have to work your offense with force, with poise and the ball is going to have to move. The more shortcuts you try to take, the more it plays right into their hands.”

ON THE 5-2 START: “It’s not even about that right now,” Spoelstra said. “It’s about our habits. Are we coming in to work to get better? And the guys have been great. They have a real lunch pail, hardhat mentality to come in here and work and work the process to try to get better.
“You’re seeing some of the improvement, but we have a long way to go, particularly on the defensive end. And there is no shortcut to it. …read more

Source:: Raanan Katz – Miami Herald – Miami Heat

10Nov

Miami Heat Beggining of the Season Recap by Raanan Katz

November 10, 2014 by Raanan Katz

Raanan-Katz-Miami-Heat-new-big-3 The Miami Heat have started this season off with a bang, winning five out of their first seven games. They started the season winning their first three games against Washington, Philadelphia and Toronto. They lost their next two games against Houston and Charlotte and won their next two games after that against Minnesota and Dallas. Their next game is on Wednesday as they welcome the Indiana Pacers to American Airlines Arena.

The Heat are at top of the Southeast Division tied with the Washington Wizards. Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade are carrying most of the load scoring 23.6 points and 19.7 points respectively. Bosh is averaging a double double as he is also averaging 10.3 rebounds per game. Luol Deng is also picking up his load, averaging 15.6 points per game. After the loss of LeBron James; Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, and Luol Deng have stepped up to become the new “Big Three” of the Miami Heat.

Luol Deng just came off of a dominating performance against the Dallas Mavericks Sunday night, scoring 30 points. The new Heat “Big 3” has averaged 60.2 points, 17.8 rebounds, and 11.7 assists.

Miami Heat fans were of course worried after the loss of LeBron James, and the new signing of Luol Deng didn’t necessarily resolve those worries. Although, Deng is nowhere near filling the hole left by LeBron, he is doing a more than adequate job in the role that he has been assigned.

Deng is averaging 15.6 points per game and shooting a career-high 56% from the field. He is also playing a career low 30 minutes per game, elevating his efficiency rating to just under 20. Bosh and Wade playing at a high level has been quintessential to the Heat’s success, but Deng filling in the holes and playing his role has also been an important factor.

Raanan Katz looks forward to watching his team’s hopeful continued success. With the return of Danny Granger in a couple of days, the Heat are looking to improve on their already successful campaign. Take a look here for new updates on the Miami Heat roster.

10Nov

#Heat guard Dwyane Wade opens up about #LeBron James and the struggling #Cavaliers

November 10, 2014 by Raanan Katz

By Joe

Dwyane Wade has played in every game this season and he’ll be in the starting lineup on Sunday night here in Dallas. He’s feeling good, his body has responded well to the beginning of the season and his team has a better record than his good buddy LeBron James up in Cleveland.

In other words, it’s a good time to weigh in on the NBA’s biggest story to start the season, the early struggles of those very same Cavaliers and LeBron’s role on the team. Any advice Wade would give LeBron at this point in the season?

“He has all the tools he needs,” Wade said. “We’ve been through it together where we ran into struggles as a team. You’re going to do that in the season whether it’s in the beginning of the season, or sometimes in the middle or sometimes at the end. He’s a four-time MVP. He’s a two-time champion. I’m sure he’ll figure it out as a leader.”

The Heat is 4-2 entering Sunday’s game against the Mavericks and the Cavaliers are 2-3 with a home game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night. In a sense, both the Heat and Cavaliers are starting from scratch this season, …read more

Source:: Raanan Katz – Miami Herald – Miami Heat

26Sep

Chris Bosh’s message to the City of Miami

September 26, 2014 by Raanan Katz

By Joe

Chris Bosh might be a familar name, but he will play a new role this season for the Heat. He’s the team’s marquee player with LeBron now in Cleveland and Dwyane Wade expected to miss a large chunk of games resting his knees.

On Friday, Bosh sounded ready to accept the challege:

“I’ve been in a similar position like this before in the past, and I feel like I can bring a lot to this team. I’ve had to play a role in the last four years, but moving forward I think I can show just the city and the organization what value I can bring — how much I can turn up the intensity and how much more weight I can put on my shoulders.”