Posts Tagged ‘heat’
In case you missed it, the Orlando Magic won tonight.
You wouldn’t think that a single win would be a big deal for a team that is a perennial playoff contender and has one of the most dominant big men in the game, but it is. In fact, it marks their first victory in the past five contests. The team has talent, but it would be easy to assume that they might be just a little distracted.
Superman has become his own team’s kryptonite.
Dwight Howard is statistically having another great season. He is averaging right at 20 points per game. He is also again putting up the stats defensively to earn serious consideration for defensive player of the year. His 15.3 rebounds per game give him the highest average in the league. He is also averaging just over two blocked shots per contest. His numbers are up from his career averages, so how could he be the problem in Orlando?
The finals begin tomorrow, will the Heat continue their hot play and win the first of the six championships that Lebron wants? Will Jason Terry justify his championship trophy tattoo? Both teams have endured a lot during the regular season and throughout the playoffs. Each has a legitimate chance of taking home the hardware. These aren’t the same groups that met in 2006 when Miami bested Dallas for it’s first championship, but will it have the same results? Perhaps, both teams could win, we will look at what each team would need to be crowned the NBA’s best.
For Dallas it’s all about Dirk. No one has been able to stop him, and he knows it. His devil-may-care attitude only increases with each person who fails to meet the challange. When faced with doubles and triples, he dumps off usually to the post for easy baskets. If this keeps up, then the Mavs will be hard to beat.
One win, that’s all the Miami Heat need to return to the finals for the first time since 2006. One win, that’s all it will take for “the King” to get his second chance at his first ring. One win. But judging by last night’s game, that may be easier said than done. While it was true that the Heat emerged victorious during the game, it wasn’t without quite the fight from the Bulls. The game was extended in to overtime and for a large
part of regulation the Heat seemed to be on the ropes.
For much of the game, the big three of the Heat weren’t exactly lighting it up on offense. One may look at the box score and see that they all ended with at least 14 points, but there were long stretches where they proved ineffective. This was especially evident with former finals MVP Dwayne Wade, who did not score the entire second half. But there were signs that might prove discouraging for those looking for a Bulls comeback.