Hornets 100, Heat 80 (Beyond the Box Score)

Nights like tonight show - even in semi-meaningless preseason games - just how far the Heat has to go to compete with the league's established playoff contenders. The result was a 100-80 loss to the New Orleans Hornets Thursday at the Mitchell Center on the University of South Alabama campus.

Full disclosure: This wasn't the outright clunker the score would indicate. Miami rested several of its key players, including Dwyane Wade, who played just 26 minutes and closed with 11 points. None of the Heat's starters, which included rookie Mario Chalmers at the point, played more than 29 minutes.

Still, this one got away from the Heat during the meaningful minutes of the game, when the rotation players for both teams were still on the court. We go beyond the box score to evaluate the game.

Player of the Game: Dorell Wright - In his first game back from knee surgery, Wright finished 4 of 7 from the field for 9 points, five rebounds and an assist in 19 minutes. Again, think baby steps. In a game where no one else really stood out amid a sleep-walk performance, Wright's energy and timing were encouraging as he worked out the kinks in his game. If he gradually progresses at this pace, it might not be long before he has a chance to unseat Yakhouba Diawara as Shawn Marion's backup.

Surprise, Surprise: Shaun Livingston - Keeping with the "Comeback Kids" theme, Livingston took his biggest step yet in his return from that devastating knee injury he suffered with the Clippers 20 months ago. Livingston had modest numbers: Five points, three assists and four fouls in 18 minutes. But more important for him was the fact that he survived his first test in game action. "I got in there and I said, basically, I know how to play. It's been a long time. I just wanted to play and play confident. Play like I knew I belonged. And not that I don't belong in this league anymore because of what happened."

Tough night: Daequan Cook - Hate to keep harping on the kid, but it looks like Cook might have already played his way out of the rotation. At least for now. Even during a game in which coach Erik Spoelstra made liberal substitutions and played nine players in the first 15 minutes, Cook didn't get any burn until late in the fourth quarter. Cook missed the only two shots he took in six minutes of playing time. In five preseason games, Cook is now 11 of 38 from the field, including 3 of 17 from 3-point range.

Coach Speak: "Rio (Mario Chalmers) did some good things. And he did some other things where he just wasn't disciplined. Particularly defensively. He really needs to become more rock solid and follow the system and not make it up. When he makes it up, no one else knows what's going on" - Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, on Chalmers first start at point guard. Chalmers had 10 points, five rebounds and two turnovers without an assist in 26 minutes.

Next up: Heat at San Antonio Spurs, 8:30 p.m.

Comments

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we should tell pat riley to explore a trade of Daequan Cook for Javaris C (from memphis) he would be probably better than every healthy PG that we have right now (except for Livingston) but he would be especially helpful off of the bench. Javaris would be great with second team. He is a combo guard in the same mold as Rodney Stuckey from Detroit and Tony Allen in Boston. He can push the ball and make his own shot and get and one’s. we are supposedly playing in a more uptempo offense in which he should thrive in. Memphis has no one to back up Mayo and Javaris is just wasting away as the 4th option on the bench. I believe with more playing time Javaris will become a very servicable player for us. Plus he is strong with the ball and plays some defense. He would have a better upside with the heat and Cook will have more upside backing up OJ Mayo. and the we could use Banks or Quinn in a package to get us a Big Man in the middle. Also Javaris should have went to us before but the lakers took him right in front of us and we ended up With Daequan Cook. The bottom line is he can score and he can get others easy baskets. And when James Jones comes back along with Dorrell Wright that second unit will be pretty exciting with Javaris running the point. Daequan Cook has done noting for us and maybe a change of teams would work out for both players. Plus the money and years are about even with them so a swap could work. Come on Pat Riley lets make this happen. Then try to get Anderson Varejo from Cleveland for our Big and we would be in great shape.

[Herns Eugene]

Hey does anyone know if tonights game will be televised on TV?

[Brad]

I am glad they are holding off trades. They need to get a better feel in real competition what this team can do before we start dismantling it. Let's just let the kids play, let spo coach and then take stock 15 games into the "REAL" season.

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