Heat 99, Grizzlies 93 (Preseason)

Forget about the rib injury, the sore left calf and the other nagging ailments that have bothered Dwyane Wade during the preseason. By now, it's official. Dude is regular-season ready.

Wade completed another test run for the Oct. 28 regular season opener against New York by toying with Memphis for three quarters and then putting away the Grizzlies down the stretch of Wednesday's 99-93 victory at AmericanAirlines Arena.

But even beyond Wade's 35-point effort were encouraging signs from the Heat. After an awful start in which Miami trailed by 18 points in the first half, the Heat rallied and used a 30-point swing to take a 12-point lead midway through the fourth quarter.

Wade had to work a bit harder with Michael Beasley, the team's second-leading scorer, sitting out with a sore shoulder and sprained right thumb. But there were plenty of "step-up" efforts from the supporting cast. The most encouraging sign has been the Heat's ability to put points on the scoreboard over the past three preseason games. Miami has scored 91, 97 and 99 points over its past three games.

There are still some concerns that need to be addressed. The Heat's perimeter defense is still spotty and opponents are also controlling the offense glass. But with the preseason wrapping up Thursday against Atlanta in Jacksonville, there is time to get those issues corrected before the games actually count.

D. WADE'S DOINGS:Wade provided a quick start and a lethal finish. The league's returning leading scorer tossed in a preseason-high 35 points on 13 of 23 shooting from the field and a 9 of 14 clip from the free-throw line. He also had six steals, five rebounds, three turnovers and two assists in 30 minutes. Wade scored 11 in the fourth, including the game-clinching conventional three-point play with 26 seconds left. Wade insists he doesn't want to work this hard night in and night out, which is why he tried to call for roster upgrades this season summer. But there are going to be plenty of games where Wade's best is barely going to be enough to get Miami by. Beasley's absence increased Wade's workload. But Wade would prefer to score in the mid-20s and put his teammates in position to make more plays rather than dominate the scoring column. Don't be surprised if he decides to take Thursday's game off and rest up.

TURNING POINT:There were many in this game. Memphis jumped out fast and led by as many as 18 early on. The Heat rallied and led by as many as 12 midway through the fourth. But the final momentum swing was the biggest, obviously. That's when Memphis used a 15-4 run to cut its deficit to a point with less than a minute left. Wade then closed the door with a three-point play and a breakaway dunk. Also credit Udonis Haslem with the hustle play to get a key loose-ball rebound in the final seconds.

WINNING EDGE:The Grizzlies were the team with four 7-footers, but Miami held a 7-3 edge in blocked shots thanks in large part to Jermaine O'Neal finally getting his defense going after a rough preseason that had been derailed by nagging injuries. O'Neal provided the type of defense the Heat will come to expect this season. He finished with eight points and added eight rebounds and four blocks. His offense will come around eventually. But the 8 boards Wednesday were five more than he's averaged in the preseason. It was a much-needed effort from J.O.

HEAD-SCRATCHER:The preseason is supposed to be when you settle on a rotation and establish some chemistry and continuity. That hasn't necessarily been the case for the Heat, which started its sixth different lineup in as many games. Miami hasn't opened with its expected regular-season starting lineup since the opener against Detroit. On Wednesday, the starters were Mario Chalmers, Wade, Quentin Richardson, Udonis Haslem and Jermaine O'Neal. This time, Beasley was the missing man. Last time, it was Haslem. The time before that, it was Wade. And the time before that, it was O'Neal. You have to wonder if this might affect the team early in the season until things get settled.

KEY CONTRIBUTION:Haslem continues to prove why he should be left alone as the starting power forward. He turned in another effective, efficient performance, with 17 points on 7 of 9 shooting. He also grabbed a team-high nine rebounds and handed out three assists. You can pretty much count on Haslem to give you this type of effort every night. He vows to be more aggressive on offense this season, which is where the nine FGAs came from. He'll continue to play within the team concept. But keep in mind, it's a contract year for UD, too. Beasley and Haslem should be able to co-exist at the forward spots. Beasley is versatile enough to play small forward and Haslem is too reliable to move out of the starting lineup at power forward right now.

NEXT UP: Heat vs. Atlanta Hawks (Jacksonville), Thursday - 7 p.m.

(For live news, notes and updates on the Heat, follow me on Twitter @ twitter.com/wallacesports. To post a question or join our live Heat chat each Thursday from 1-2 p.m., click here.)

Comments

[lequeenLames]

i would like to see consistency from haslem at the Offensive end.Just because he had a great game vs the worst team in the nba doesnt mean he should start over beasley at the 4.If beasley isnt being productive at the 3,all the haslem effort at pf is irrelevant.I would rather see haslem come off the bench and beasley starting while both being productive,than see beasley getting owned in a position he has never played

[9/11 was an inside job]

"Beasley is versatile enough to play small forward and Haslem is too reliable to move out of the starting lineup at power forward right now."

Haslem is too reliable to move out of the starting lineup? when is Beasley reliable? when he scores buckets every night. how are you ever going to know if you can rely on Beasley at PF if you don't start him there...Beasley is the better player. Reminds me of Pennington and Henne. Penny is toooo reliable to not start. well, it hurt our offense to have him at QB. he held back the players around him with his lack of talent. same is true of Haslem.

Start Beas at PF, his position, bring Udon off the bench...

[Toolbag]

"Haslem continues to prove why he should be left alone as the starting power forward."

I completly agree.
Doesn't anyone who posts here appreciate the defensive aspect of the game, MB cannot defend anywhere near the level of UD, and they are on parity in regards to effectivness on the glass.
Beasley provides an excellent offensive option, no doubt, and so he should rotate between both the 3 & 4, to provide options offensivly. If you start this kid against the Duncans, Nowitzkis, Stoudemires of this worls, he'll get eaten alive. UD has already proved he can match up against these guys.

[Magic_Marc]

I like Haslem as a player, he should have always been a scorer and not waited until a contract year.

[jpejeff]

Where was the D in the 1st quater when Memphis
SCORED 38 PTS. The slow start Look a lot like last year games.D Wade saving the day at home against a inferior team look a lot like last
year. Haslem making a key play at home against MEMPHIS to secure a vitory is not as exciting as hearing our young core with Beasley handle New Orlean.What's stopping him from making that same play as a reserve.Stop making the same tired agruments,WE NEED TO PLAY THE KID.
Break em down after building em up. Here we go
again.

[pmartin]

Michael Wallace must be dating Udonis Haslem !

[reginald noel]

People. Stop with the beasely at pf forward stuff already. the four spot," power foward", in this league is accoupied by some bruisers in this league. what in beaselys game would lead you to believe it involves power, this aint college. beasely is a finese player. that has small foward written all over it. not to mention you want the best on the floor. haslem and beasley are the best foward tandem we have. bring in a james jones for defensive purposes at times and three point shots but clearly haslem and beasely gives us the best foward tandem possible. let the coaching staff coach.

[Greg Gembe]

"What's stopping him from making that same play as a reserve."

Same arguement could be used for Beasley, coming off the bench.

Again, why is starting the game so important? What is it about those first couple of plays that we NEED Beas on the floor? It sounds like ego and celebrity status over court production to me.

Haslem has always been able to score. He seldom takes a bad shot. He understands the game. He has the best offensive weapon in the league on his team, why should he be worried about 'gettin' mines'.

"We play to win the game" - Herm Edwards

9/11 was an inside (the Islamic terroristic group - Al Queda) job. But don't take my word for it, ask them yourself. They proudly take responsibility for it.

If only Clinton would have kept his job on the inside, instead of on that blue dress (that mysteriously would up underneath a secretaries' bed), he could have concentrated on the growing threat to our country and fellow Americans wouldn't have had to perish horribly (or was that twin tower thing staged on a Hollyweird set). Let me call a real news organization like MSNBC, and ask an unbiased veteran respected newsreporter like Olbermann, what really happened.

[jpejeff]

If what u say is true,they should have never drafted and waisted a year playing him at the 4. Besides looks like Richardson might be the best option at the 3. A position he played his
entire life unlike Bees.The 3 is over crowded
with players.So you want us to hold our tounges
because they WAISTED THE #2 PICK on a PF. Beasley is a PF OVER THE FUTURE AND THE FUTURE
STARTED LAST YEAR.

[jpejeff]

Beasley is a better player than Haslem,so he should star. If all the other stuff you talking about come with it,so be it.Every1 wants to start.Just ask Haslem.

[dolphinatik]

We got blown out in the first quarter and got scored on in the fourth. These were the quarters where primarily our starters played. UD and the rest of our starters had no D or drive. Our bench deserved credit for keeping us in that game.

Look at the +/- from the game

Chalmers 0
Wade -8
Q -7
UD -2
Oneil -4
Aroyyo +1
Cook +18
Wright +14
Anthony +7
Diawara +8

Call it what you want. I know Wade scored 35 but our started got manhandled all game.

[jpejeff]

Read the nation or listen to some NPR.They push the news instead of there point of view.
911 didnt happen on Bill's watch.Enough of garbage talk. GO HEAT1

[Greg Gembe]

"Also credit Udonis Haslem with the hustle play to get a key loose-ball rebound in the final seconds."

AND

"UD and the rest of our starters had no D or drive"

Was everybody watching the same game?

Look at the +/- from the game

Chalmers 0
Wade -8
Q -7
UD -2
Oneil -4
Aroyyo +1
Cook +18
Wright +14
Anthony +7
Diawara +8

I like to see these stats, but sometimes they can be misleading. With all the pluses for our second unit, you can't diminish their efforts,love to see that. But you can't look at that stat alone, because Wade comes out looking like the weak link.

"911 didnt happen on Bill's watch". No, but the same muslims that perpetrated 9/11, tried unsuccessfully to blow up those SAME buildings during Bill's watch. They blew up ships/hotels/embassies and were basically at war with the US, and everybody, for years before we took a SERIOUS stance against them. Just like the 9/11 planning didn't start the day Bush took office, the current struggle in Afghanistan wasn't initiated by the Obama administration. Both parties are dealing with issues that started before they came into office. 9/11 would have happened now matter who was president, it is the response to that event that would differ president to president. Recount those (year)2000 votes in Florida, yet again, and if you can rewrite history, tell me you think Gore would have handled the situation better.

Did I really need to spell that out for you?

[jpejeff]

ILL SPELL SOMETHING 4 U. BEASLEY NEEDS 2
START!

[9/11 was an inside job]

don't usually call people names...Greg you are a complete idiot!

[dolphinatik]

Wade was not the weak link. The weak link is how our team plays when Wade is on the floor. Everyone stands around waiting for Wade and is afraid to be aggressive on their own.

[Greg Gembe]

NO factual rebuttal?

No intellectual debate on issues?

...and the all caps, really does make you point for you.

I'm not ballin' like a toddler to have Haslem start. But I'll guarantee you, he'll be on the floor when it's crunch time.

With Beas playin' the 4 and O'Neal at the 5, we have NO deterent in the lane, zero. Big Cat, Anthony, Haslem, all understand 'protecting the basket'.

Defense is 80% effort, and maybe, 20% technique. You've got to have grit, determination, and will power to be effective playing defense. I haven't seen that yet from Beas or JO.

But I do enjoy hearing your well thought out responses, so keep 'em coming.

[lequeenLames]

dolphin said it best.However wade is as much to blame for it.If you are the leader of this team,you need to holla @ your mates and tell'em to not limit themselves when he is on court

[Badimo]

Beasley dropped 19/7 on Memphis as a rookie at PF in a regular season game. I didn't hear arguments for keeping him as our starting PF then.

Why the argument for Haslem in a meaningless game we struggled to win in preseason?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgy5Fnx4S10

I think we're grappling at straws here to try and justify the ignominy of having an inferior player as a starter. Haslem is nothing more than a bench player who has been overglorified because he works hard.

Keep citing his hard work as an example to encourage the kids to grow, but don't use it as an excuse to put him before a more talented player who is also part of the future of this team. There are numerous hard working players in this league that don't start. Kirk Hinrich gave way to Rose. Haslem would have given way to Beasley on any of the other teams in the league.

[Badimo]

I also want to point out the oddity of Beasley vs Chalmers.

Chalmers is another inferior player who got to start all 82 games last season and still has nothing to show for it so far in preseason. I hope all that trust we put in him, which we didn't put in Beasley, pans out. So far though we seem to be completely confused as a coaching unit when it comes to making the right personnel decisions.

This is probably all Wade's fault for being so darn good. Without Wade we'll be forced to put these hustle/bench players in their right spots and we'll be better off for it.

Wade shouldn't have to score 35 in preseason for us to beat Memphis!

[jpejeff]

No factual rebuttal? This is a sports blog,not a political forum.Even Sean Hannity can have a beer and talk sports. No interlectual debate. Debate about who got the biggest boobs or cars
and I'M In,but it want be interlectual.Loosen your tie,grab some yack and say WTF comes to your mind.Long as it's about the Heat(T & A is acceptable too).I dont agree with your point of
view with Haslem,but i respect it.He is a hell of a player,but the Chad analogy was right on.The Dolphins was playing a veteran they was comfortable with while they had a young stud as a backup(1st rd pick).The big tunna was questioning if the young buck was mentally prepared & strong enough.Then Pennington got hurt after a 0-3 start and Chad Henne has shined by leading the phins with 2 straight victories.They probably be 0-5 now with Pennington trying to find a answer by now if he would've got injured.Young talent got to have a no fly zone in order to fly.LBJ,WADE,BOSH,KOBE and all the greats got thrown right into the fire when they started.
I really can't compare Beasley to those guys,but if he had his chance like they did,We
would now more than we do now. BUSS--GOOD--OR
GREAT.A #2 draft pick deserves and has earn the oppertunity to be a buss--good--or great player while on the court.Frankly the only #2 busses i see are on the team that took the same
approach as miami.

[pmartin]

Start Beasley at the 4;
And trade Udonis Haslem.
Maybe Portland would trade Bayless for U.D and Chalmers.
Beasley starting and a new pg = playoffs.
Otherwise, as is; this team will miss the playoffs in an improved East division this year.

[rockstarjc]

that's a good idea... i agree that we got to make moves to avoid wade from injury he needs help & through these trade proposal, i guess this could compliment wade...

HASLEM, CHALMERS, D.WRIGHT TO (PORTLAND) *BAYLESS, *OUTLAW, *WEBSTER...

think it's fair deal to both teams...

on the hand, MEMPHIS has not yet offer an extension contract to RUDY GAY, deadline has fast approaching, what if we do make trade for him he could also much help MR. WADE...

TRADE PROPOSAL:

MAGLOIRE, JAMES JONES, DIAWARA + 2nd round pick 2010 To (MEMPHIS) *GAY,R. / *GASOL,M.

then,we get rid of QUINN(buy-out or waived)
also waived RANDOLPH,S.

WE SIGN ^LUCAS111...

LINE-UP WOULD...

sg wade / cook /
pg *bayless / arroyo / ^lucas111
sf *gay / q-rich / *webster
pf beasley / *outlaw
c jo(pf) / *gasol,m. / anthony,j.(pf)

we can now be a contender team in the EAST...
WHAT YOU THINK...???

[Badimo]

I'll take Rudy Gay for our 3 spot.

Wade/Gay/Beasley is a very potent combo. Of course they'll all have to chip in and play solid defense.

Call be crazy, but I think Beasley can be motivated to be the best defensive player on our team. It's all about how you dangle the carrot before him. He's clearly shown the willingness to be molded into anything the coaches desire. Problem is that Spo doesn't really know what he's doing.

Bayless is also a stud and has better upside than Chalmers. The issue is with his defense. Not that Chalmers and UD are lock-down defenders or even great defenders, but their help defense is what keeps them in our moribund starting unit.

Chalmers plays well when Wade is out. Something tells me it has a lot to do with Spo's play-calling. UD though will be stuck to the bench with Wade out of our starting lineup. That alone should be enough to tell the coaches to utilize him off the bench.

[Badimo]

How is Haslem looking today against a real team?

[JPEJEFF]

Dont know,but the team not looking to good.Was down 10 at start of 4.Havent heard anything on Bees.He must be out with a injury.Nah Spro just dont know what the hell he is doing.

[JPEJEFF]

Damn it got worse.Another slow start again.Just
like last year.No changes in personnel and look
like no changes in approach. We in 4 a long year.

[JPEJEFF]

Cook and the 2nd team is making it interesting.

[JPEJEFF]

Good try by the youngster to steal on at the end.Trailing by 18 with half of the 4th quater left,they loss by only 5.We have young players that look great at times and loss at other time
s. That reflex coaching. This is not the place for young talent.

[lequeenLames]

wallace is a tool.Yesterday took him 2 minutes to d!ckride haslem and his performance vs the worst team in the league and tonite he is nowhere to be found LMAO

[rockstarjc]

our team need to push trades... WE DONT NEED TO WAIT FOR 2010 FREE AGENCY... NOW IS THE RIGHT TIME TO MAKE THIS TEAM ON A CONTENDER LOOKS... TO MAKE MR.WADE STAYS HERE!!!

we start from...

D.WRIGHT, DIAWARA, J.JONES + 2nd round pick 2010 TO (MEMPHIS)
*GAY,R. & GASOL,M.

HASLEM, QUINN TO (PORTLAND)
^BAYLESS & ^WEBSTER

JO, CHALMERS + last 1st round pick 2010 TO (WARRIORS)
>BIEDRINS & ELLIS

1st & 2nd trades could be possible i think coz GAY,RUDY(MEM)has no extension offer yet & GASOL,M. would be a great compliment to us since MEMPHIS has still 3 centers left... for 2nd option, BAYLESS is on the trading block &
WEBSTER contract could match this trade...

3rd option, is only if we could convince the (WARRIORS) SINCE THEY WILL HAVE OUR ONE 1ST ROUND PICK(last) ON 2010 DRAFT CLASS... ALSO WE KNOW THAT ELLIS COULD BETTER SHARE THE FLOOR WITH MR.WADE...

I THINK THESE TRADE PROPOSALS CAN BE FAIR ON THE BOTH TEAMS RESPECTIVELY...

GO HEAT!!! make this happen!!!

[rockstarjc]

our line-up would:

sg wade / cook

pg ellis / arroyo / bayless

sf gay / q-rich / webster(SG)

pf beasley / anthony,j.(C) / randolph,s.

c biedrins / gasol,m. / magloire

thougths???