Postgame Breakdown: Heat 115, Raptors 95

The Heat responded to its worst loss of the season with its most dominant effort of the year. And the kid in the Heat uniform won the Beasley-Bosh debate on this night.

Michael Beasley tied his career-high with 28 points and notched his fifth double-double of the season by adding 11 rebounds to lead the Heat to a much-needed, slump-busting, drought-emerging victory at home Tuesday over the lifeless Toronto Raptors.

"We've got to play with passion," Beasley said. "I was just telling myself that I have to be aggressive. And with that, I've got to be efficient. I decided to step up."

With the 115-95 victory, the Heat (12-11) ended a four-game home losing streak at AmericanAirlines Arena and also avoided falling below .500 for the first time this season. Tuesday's win came after the Heat suffered a 28-point loss at home to Memphis, which followed a blowout loss at home Sunday against Dallas.

But the Raptors proved to be the perfect sparring partner for the Heat. Toronto ranks at the bottom of the league in defense, and it didn't offer much of it as the Heat tied its season high for points in a game. This was therapeutic for the Heat. A night like this was needed. An effort like this was necessary.

D. WADE'S DOINGS: Wade was much more interested in action than talk the past few days. He got a great look from the bench of a great bounce-back performance from his supporting cast. Wade was able to watch the fourth quarter while resting on the bench during the blowout victory over the Raptors. He didn't need to do much on a night when the rest of the rotation offered so much. Beasley led the way in scoring, Dorell Wright provided energy off the bench, Arroyo was a steady, calming influence on offense and Jermaine O'Neal was disruptive during a key stretch in the lane. All the Heat needed on this night was 19 points and seven assists in just more than 29 minutes from Wade.

TURNING POINT: The Heat blew this one open with a 23-11 spurt in the third quarter to open a 17-point lead. The lead stretched to 21 points early in the fourth. Bosh was bottled up late, and there was no relief for the Raptors. The decisive spurt came by way of balance, defense, transition offense and sharing the wealth. Mario Chalmers, Wade, Carlos Arroyo, Joel Anthony, Dorell Wright and Jermaine O'Neal all scored during the key run in the third quarter. It was an example of all-out team ball that hasn't been on display often enough for this team.

WINNING EDGE: The Heat had 17 assists in the first half and finished with 27 for the game. The ball movement was the best part of the Heat's performance, even when every player on the court was looking to get the ball to Beasley so he could get his first career 30-point game. Beasley missed a jumper with two minutes left and couldn't get a shot off on the following possession. He could have gone for one more basket in the final seconds, but opted to hold the ball at midcourt to run out the clock. Either way, he tied a decent bow to the end of this one.

HEAD-SCRATCHER: It was the third different starting lineup in as many games for the Heat. Whereas the previous two lineup adjustments were a product of Quentin Richardson's hamstring injury and Jermaine O'Neal's absence, Tuesday's change-up was the result of Erik Spoelstra seeking a shakeup of sorts to send a message to Mario Chalmers about professionalism. Carlos Arroyo started in place of Chalmers, whose play has been sporadic, really sporadic, this season. While at least a temporary change was probably due, it still came as somewhat of a surprise - even with Spoelstra hinting that there could be movement in the lineup after the 28-point loss to Memphis. After Tuesday's game, Spoelstra said Chalmers was benched because he was late to Tuesday's morning shootaround. Mario, who handed out Christmas gifts to 100 local kids before the game, had started every game since he was taken in the second round of the 2008 draft. Tuesday's move to the bench ended his streak of consecutive starts at 111, including the playoffs. Having said that, it's hard to argue that Chalmers has truly earned his keep with the Heat. One of the reasons the Heat didn't bring in point guard help early in the summer was because Pat Riley said he didn't want to start anyone ahead of Chalmers. Perhaps this shakeup was a needed wake-up call for Rio, who had a team-high eight assists to go with 12 points from Arroyo at the point.

KEY CONTRIBUTION: After having his streak of double-figure scoring games snapped at 11 with a six-point performance in Sunday's embarrassing loss to Memphis, Michael Beasley bounced back and nearly produced a double-double in the first half alone (18 points, 8 rebounds) Tuesday against the Raptors. It was only a few weeks ago when Wade said it would only be a matter of time before Beasley would "be a 20-10 guy on a bad night" in terms of his production. The impressive thing about his play Tuesday was that Beas got the job done on both ends. He was aggressive on defense. And when Beasley is scoring, offense seems to come easy for the Heat. When Miami scores at least 100 points, you can bank on Beasley providing at 25 percent of the scoring. Tuesday was no different. The key now is carrying that level of performance and execution from one game to the next, to the next. 

NEXT UP: Magic at Heat, 8 p.m. Thursday, AmericanAirlines Arena

(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

[SATANLOVES]

Great game but we still need to fire Spo.

[john]

T-mac is on his way. trade in the works.

[eddie rosas]

Mr. Wallace,

Thank your for giving credit to all the players who made signficant contributions to this win, I really mean it. I stopped reading your blogs because you seemed to only mention Wade or Beasley (mainly) and simply overlook everyone else but now you're changed the tone and I like it. Well done Sir and as one of your readers, I appreciate it.

[cp12]

Yeah this one was needed. Miami ran right through Toronto for their first win in 5 home games and Beasley led the way in this one… and the rest of the team played with a fire in their ass not seen in a few games. Wade did not score in the high-20s as is the current status quo, but he did make alot happen with his energy. Spoelstra shook up the lineup by starting Carlos Arroyo (as you may or may not have heard) and for tonight , the move looked good. Arroyo had a nice scoring game while Rio still had 8 assists. As far as wins go, this is a stop-gap. A finger covering up a hole on a breaking dam… a good performance against this defensively terrible Toronto team is not an impressive win, it’s an expected win. This is the year the Heat’s “kids” are supposed to grow up, and as Wade looks on, the question is… are they? The way they will respond the next few games will go a long way in showing what Miami has going forward.

www.blogmiamiheat.com

[Ed E Jones]

"The thing about this group, there is a purity of heart and that's something that we talked about," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
"The thing about this group, there is a purity of heart and that's something that we talked about," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
"The thing about this group, there is a purity of heart and that's something that we talked about," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

LMFAO

[jermaine]

yo john, where have u heard this?

[305 Representer]

I been said Tmac would be a great trade for Jermaine O'Neal straight up. The move would benefit both teams tremendously and would give the Heat an offensive punch it hadn't has since '06. We would keep Beasley and cap flexibility if that's not a win-win then maybe we deserve to be a .500 team. It's not a lopsided trade like the Memphis trade proposals that be on this blog because Houston needs a center. TMac would help Beasley and Wade game just being on the court the man can be a straight bust this season but teams would still have to honor him.

[305 Representer]

John was right check the Sun-Sentinel trade talks are in the works T mac should be on his way. I should be a GM my God Damn self I been saying this was a good move we was 6-1!

[joe mama]

Speaking of trades... now I havent run the numbers so this could be totally impossible BUT:

How about Beas, Cook, Chalmers and Toronto's 1st rounder for CP3.

Pick up bosh in the offseason.

Sign JO to a reasonable offer.

Starting 5 CP3, Wade, QRich, Bosh, JO

With Haslem 6th man

[Jake]

Nice to have a game where Supercool scores more than Wade AND we win.

Great game! Go Heat!

[john]

Guys I don't know exactly when this is going to happen but the heat are interested in T-mac. JO for T-mac might be the way to go. Also the heat might be making a move with the blazers who are guard heavy. Just keep your ears open. Dec 15 is when teams can start moving players. Riley is itching to make a trade and has always been intrigued with Tracy. So we'll see.

[john]

Here are a couple of sources on the T-mac move and why i say this might happen.

http://sports.yahoo.com/video/player/nba/Y_Sports_NBA_Coverage/17102023;_ylt=AiX_4dX0IDASOX4GG2icFO68vLYF#nba/Y_Sports_NBA_Coverage/17102023

http://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA

[Greg Gembe]

T-Mac is damaged goods. He won't play a complete season for the rest of his career. Has he been out of the second round of the playoffs in his illustrious career yet?

Spo can read 'Cat in the Hat' before each game, if we win by 20 points. So you can LMFAO if you want, results is what we got.

Mr. Wallace: Are you sure Beas got the better of the matchup with Bosh. My box score says they both scored 28 points...seems like a wash to me. Beas more boards, Bosh more assists. Paint it however you want, I hope the Toronto management was as impressed with supercoolbeas as some of these bloggers are. I hope they think Beas is a better player than Bosh also. Please, PLEASE make that trade!

[DC Heater]

That's a stupid trade in my opinion... T-Mac hasn't played in month's and if we trade O'Neal, who will be our starting C... Joel Anthony?

Give me a break! We would be a worse team, unless they can somehow get Scola as well without giving up much more

[john]

Before you knock this trade Ask yourself this...What is JO really doing for the heat? And Would you be better off with a healthy T-mac or with a this JO? The argument that he's never been out of the first round is irrelevant. Many players who were the victims of not moving far in the playoffs have been succesful when given a chance to play with talent. Such as Garnett, Pau gasol, Carmelo anthony. The heat won a Title with antoine walker as a starting small.

I'm sure the heat knows they will be thin inside and won't stop with just that move. And just my opinion i think Jamal would be a better center then JO. I agree that Anthony is a waste of time but I believe the heat will probably ask for scola in that trade and play Magloire at center. Also there are talks that the Clippers are looking to move Camby. That's also a possibility.

[cp12]

Camby and Tmac? Now thats something. Grit and scoring. But oh so delicate....

[black the trucker]

wow, first thing, good win... but the trade season is here.... yeah! now let's see who and what moved are put together...

[black the trucker]

i meant to say moves...

[black the trucker]

now camby would be a good pickup, i'm not so sure about t-mac.... rudy gay with thabeet would be a better trade.... cp3 might be on the market and that would be a great trade... and thats keeping o'neil... keep wright... trade beasley, cook, jones, qrich, haslem... but haslem and qrich can sign in the offseason.. portland might give up bayless, try that... beasley, cook, charlmers, and first round pick for cp3 is a good trade.. then maybe trade for bosh... but not t-mac... maybe than camby or rudy gay and thabeet...

[black the trucker]

golden state has beidrins and there giving up everybody... rudy gay, please pick him up... do not trade for t-mac, plz... camby and o'neil would look good... cp3...

[black the trucker]

camby in his final year of his contract is very inticing.. qrich, straight up... or beidrins... but thabeet and gay, make that trade plz... beasley, cook.... bayless for quinn and randolph... hey if they take, do it... but not t-mac... cp3, give them 2 1st round picks and charlmers... hey look into david lee's availability... if you trade wright plz get rudy...

[305 Representer]

People seem so quick to wish Beasley farewell and I don't understand it! This is why elite teams stay elite and mediocre teams stay that way with little little to no progress and sometimes regression. Why would any so call Heat fan be willing to trade a 20yr old in his second year with the scoring potential of a superstar player? Especially when he is doing exactly what he got drafted for; to be a rebounding and scoring machine. Why I ask? And if you say defense your a fool and I challenge you to name a rookie or second year player right now whose a lockdown defender! (don't mention steal averages please cuz they are so misleading, for god sake even A.I led the league in steals before) I see Beasley becoming a Carmelo type scoring and if he had the greenlight like Kevin Durant had he be scoring just as much. So I say let's keeps Beasley atleast until he's a restricted free agent why trade him for a player we can sign next year. Imagine if the Lakers wouldve traded Bynum early or if Boston didn't trade Joe Johnson. Stop saying Rudy Gay name too he's one of the most inconsistent players ever I have league pass so I watch a lot of Memphis games and Gay will disappear for a game or two.

[Jake]

We shouldn't trade Beaz unless it's for a big time player (not named McGrady, Scola, Camby, or Bayless).

He is finally showing his growth, don't give up yet.

[black the trucker]

look just because a player is young and you draft him as a high pick doesn't mean you have to keep him... the draft is not a simple way of getting a team to an elite level... and this kid just isn't a good fit ... and gay is good... and everyone has games where they don't bring it, everyone... and beasley isn't all that.. and if you can get a better fit and an all-star type player, do it... get thabeet also.. but don't stop there, see if cp3 is out there... camby.. see what ssle could help this team win a title or two..

[Jake]

We don't need Thabeet - we have Joel Anthony. same thing - they block shots, and have minimal offense.

[black the trucker]

starting lineup; cp3, wade, gay, bosh, thabeet... bench, o'neil, camby, wright, jones, bayless, daiwara, anthony, maglore, arroyo...

[black the trucker]

a 7 footer, who can change the game is a player you want...

[Jake]

and those of you who want trades - you should learn to spell the names of the players on the Heat.

[black the trucker]

listen, to hell with the spelling, make this team a contender again.. thats what we want...06

[305 Representer]

"look just because a player is young and you draft him as a high pick doesn't mean you have to keep him... the draft is not a simple way of getting a team to an elite level"

That was a dumb comment do you realize Wade was a Heat draft pick? Were you even a Heat fan when critics were doggin' him saying he can't shoot or play point and that he was just a slasher. You say Some players don't mesh but how many players like Beasley can score within the offense? Beasley is a ball stopper he showing signs of making plays for other people with his drives and kick outs so what gives? Also you shouldn't respect Black The Trucker opinion just based off his trade proposals. New Orleans is doing bad doesn't mean they want to do worse by trading CP3 their best player and best point guard in the league for peanuts. Also why would Memphis trade their lottery pick with the defensive attributes that he has when they have one of the worse defensives of the league?! Maybe they want his shot blocking and shot changing ability for themselves. Also get a clue on Rudy Gay Memphis offered him a contract extension Gay wanted more money doesn't mean he wants to be traded. Another thing is this Memphis had a chance to get Amare last season and Pheonix main target was Gay, if Memphis didn't trade him for Amare why the hell would they for a bunch of role players jackasses. Let's build from the bottom so we could be a solid contendor for several years and not be a flash in the pan like the '06 season.

[black the trucker]

listen, wade from day one, you could see greatness in him... this kid has talent but isn't the right fit... and yes he could always score... and maybe gay does want more money... and maybe the grizz do want to keep thabeet... and maybe the hornets aren't just willing to give up cp3... but plz look into it... because if these moves could be made this team would be and should be for a long time a contender...

[black the trucker]

and as far as that comment... do you think portland wishes that would have drafted durant, do you think the hornets wished they kept kobe.... the draft just isn't the only way to get better, ok... and drafting a good player can sometimes be a chip for another player...

[black the trucker]

and another thing no one in there right mind wants to really stay in memphis so maybe he does want out of there...and might take less money because he would make more thru endorsements with the heat...

[305 Representer]

The way I see it is Gay won't work the reason I say that is his jump shot is shaky and with that said he's basically Shawn Marion (they play just alike trust me). We see how Matrix worked out he couldn't score unless put in position off a set-up. Gay upside is he's a consistent rebounder an good defender but too many factors has to be going his way too score big numbers. He just scored 41 against the Heat did you see how bad the Heat defense had to be for that. Wade wants help not another player he has to put on his back for them to play well. If we can get Bosh next summer or Amare/Boozer we're going to need Beasley jumpshot to spread the floor and imagine a Heat team were you can't double team anybody! Wade will go bonkers playing off the ball