Postgame Breakdown: Heat 80, Jazz 70

It was ugly. But when things have been going the way they have at AmericanAirlines Arena lately, style points don't really matter.

Victories do. And the Heat summoned enough in the second half to run away from the Jazz and secure a 80-70 win Wednesday to close out the six-game homestand with a 3-3 record. In doing so, the Heat held the Jazz to its lowest scoring total of the season. The 80 points were also Miami's fewest in a victory this season, falling one point shy of the 81 it scored to beat New Jersey on Dwyane Wade's walk-off three.

The Heat (14-12) and Jazz barely combined for 60 points in the first half, with each producing their lowest output in a half this season. Turnovers were high. Field goals and assists were low. And I'm still not sure if it was great defense on behalf of both teams, or simply putrid offense.

The numbers would suggest good offense for the Heat, at least in the second half. Miami blocked a season-high 11 shots, held the Jazz to 37.5 percent shooting from the field and scored 28 points off 21 Utah turnovers.The Jazz was held 31 points below its season average.

"It was important for us to take a step forward with our mental toughness," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, with the Heat improving to 9-8 at home this season. "Toughness, defensive efforts, pursuits - they're all things that can be built through habits."

D. WADE'S DOINGS: Perhaps there's just something about facing the Utah Jazz that brings out the best in D. Wade. He provided another solid performance Wednesday. The last time Wade played the Jazz, he poured in 50 points in a triple-overtime victory last spring. That outing increased his scoring average against the Jazz to 30 points a game, his highest against a Western Conference team. This time, there was a bit more balance, a bit more lift, a bit more energy in his approach after a recent stretch of less-than-stellar play (to Wade's standards). Wade closed with 29 points on 12 of 28 shooting to go with seven rebounds, five assists and three blocks. He did most of his damage in the decisive third quarter, including two vintage, soaring dunks.

TURNING POINT: Miami used an 18-5 run midway through the third quarter to open its first double-digit lead. Wade found his rhythm during the spurt, flushing down a dunk on an alley-oop pass from Carlos Arroyo and also knocking down a mid-range jumper. Joel Anthony, who started the second half at center in place of the injured Jermaine O'Neal, was active on the boards. He had a blocked shot and a put-back following an offensive rebound to provide an energetic presence in the paint.

WINNING/LOSING EDGE: The 28 points off turnovers were huge for the Heat, which forced the Jazz into 21 uncharacteristic miscues. In a game where points were at a premium, the takeaways were huge.

HEAD-SCRATCHER: Another week, another nagging injury knocks center Jermaine O'Neal out of a reliable role for the Heat. This time, it was a right groin strain/hip flexor he aggravated just three minutes into Wednesday's game against the Jazz. The latest ailment came a day after O'Neal sat out of Tuesday's practice with the strain just below his right hip. But O'Neal also had been slowed by ankle and hip injuries earlier this season. And that's not good, considering this was supposed to be a bounce-back season of sorts for O'Neal, who spent the offseason working life back into his damaged knees and legs while training in Chicago with Tim Grover. The good news is that none of these nagging injuries have worked their way to O'Neal's knees. But it seems the guy can't catch a break and have a sustained run of uninterrupted performances. The Heat knew J.O. was damaged goods when he was acquired at the trade deadline last February. But the hope remains that he'll get right.

KEY CONTRIBUTION: Joel Anthony filled the stat sheet with plenty of hustle plays throughout the night. It was his energy that got the Heat going in the third quarter. Yeah, he did catch a mouthful of Deron Williams' dunk in the fourth quarter in what was perhaps the highlight play of the game. But other than that, Anthony provided rebounding on both ends, blocked shots, tip-outs, tip-ins and everything else you can do to help your team. He finished with eight points, nine rebounds and five blocks, one shy of his career high.

NEXT UP: Heat at Knicks, Friday, noon, Madison Square Garden

(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

[rockstarjc]

great game!!! WADE do so...
lets get HIM a help before HE can decide to sign to other team or got injured again...

we need to sign an all star type of player that will play beside WADE and do trades...

[rockstarjc]

how could we get;
can RILEY possible acquire these players?
he said' he wanted the HEAT dynasty!!!

*stoudemire
*bogut
*blatche
*arenas

WITHOUT LOSING:

WADE
BEASLEY
WRIGHT,D.
ANTHONY,J.
CHALMERS

thoughts???

[pugtv]

JO = 1 yr rental.

I wonder where he'll be next year and how much he'll make ... hmmm ...

[jpejeff]

Me,Tiger & the Patriot's mascot over here at the Rolex excited about trade season being here. GO HEAT

[T_TIME]

Chalmers: 28:50, 2-11, 2 AST, 6 PTS, 2 ST, 1 REB, 3 PF, 2 TO
Arroyo: 19:10, 3-6, 2 AST, 7 PTS, 2 ST, 2 REB, 2 PF, 0 TO

The game got wide open with Arroyo in court. Just when he was playing his best, he got benched. Sorry Carlos, you'll be released before you know it, and God forbid if you shine in the next few games you got left with us. You'll make us look bad when we release you, if you do.

[heatfan]

Wow! What a performance. Score 80 points and win by 10?? This was an NBA game?? Again, when there was ball movement the team had moments of excitement. Most of the game was the 2 man game of Wade and Haslem with Wade just chucking up shots. 12 of 28? I dont care about PG stats but Arroyo is a backup at best. He makes 2 nice plays a game but does not create for others for most part. I think JO sitting out shows how badly he is needed in the offense scoring only 80. Miami needs JO to hit Js and create on the inside. We need him for playoffs. A win is a win and I will take it but did not like the looks of this team desperate to even a homestand. Jazz game this game away. Thinking of ending road trip and getting home.

[T_TIME]

Like i've always said heatfan, I'm not a big fan of Arroyo, but i do think he is a good PG, and very underrated. With the options we have now, until we can get a premier PG, Arroyo is the best option we have. It is my opinion, for example, that if he would've been given the minutes Rio had, he would've scored in double digits with at least 5 AST, and that my friend, is an excellent performance for a pg in any league. He was part of the rally that put us ahead by 15. He got benched, never came back. We ended up winning by 10. Doesn't that tell us something?

[Eddie]

heatfan - THANK YOU! I appreciate your comment on Carlos (very subjective indeed) - unlike T-TIME's comment stating that he's a backup at best...I don't know what T's smoking but I sure don't want any of that. I'm NOT suggesting that Carlos is the best PG in the league but I agree with heatfan - he's VERY underrated! In addition, he has the skills to carry the offensive game (distribution) from the PG's point of view. He's a better passer and has a better view of the court, not to mention he can find the open man with ease. Rio just doesn't even know what to do with the ball and runs into the defense very often, thus creating situations leading to TO's. If you watched the same game, then you'll know what I'm talking about. Cheers!

[ebag]

arroyo doesn't play any defense

[Ramon]

Hey Eddie, he may not play any defense but he drew 3 charges against one of the top PG in the league. I'm not saying that he is a great defender but, I think Maccabi worked with him on defense. He is clearly a better defender this year than years past.

[black the trucker]

good win, we should beat the knicks by 20 on christmas day... defense was great last night, keep up the good work...beasley, step your game...wright attack the basket... anthony, when someone comes at you, either go for the ball or move out of the way... charlmers, step your game up... i don't know what trades that are on the table but with the defensive effort that was played last night this team should be able to at the very least hold the 5th spot...enjoy the holiday everyone...

[SATANLOVES]

For those crying about Arroyo, he is the starter because he gives the Heat a better chance to win than Chalmers, chew on that. Mario is just a backup at best, that's why he was picked in the second round. Arroyo is a proven veteran. I'm not saying he is our PG of the future, but he should be getting a lot more minutes. But we all know Spo and his rotations...

[Joel Delgado]

First off a win is a win no matter how ugly.Second lets celebrate christmas by kicking the crap outta the knicks and finish the year off strong by beating the pacers,hornets and the spurs and lastly hope our team stays healthy atleast till the trading deadline.Ooops looks like my 40oz is almost empty, happy holidays to everyone and LETS GO HEAT!!!!

[J-Beasy]

Agree Arroyo is a good point guard but I also agree that he is a very poor defender. Unless he is Nash nobody is going to succeed running the point in the Nba and not playing defense. End of story. And with him is not a matter of effort or technique but a matter of physical limitations. Therefore I don't think you can call him "underrated" because people view him like what he is, a backup just like Chalmers is and like Quinn will never be.

[J-Beasy]

On another note I am counting the days when Pat The Rat fires Erick Snubstra because there is no argument why he is a qualified NBA coach. Not one!

[yomama]

Stop crying about the rotations. That's all anyone does in this blog. Whiners, all of you.