Postgame Breakdown: Heat 99, Rockets 66

This, no doubt, was necessary.

This, make no mistake, was therapeutic.

This, understandably, will heal a lot of wounds. No, Tuesday's 99-66 victory over the Houston Rockets at AmericanAirlines Arena doesn't cure all. But it certainly was a step in the right direction for a Heat team that had been reeling recently.

With a quick start, a significant boost from the bench and relentless defense throughout the night, the Heat blew out the Rockets and snapped a season-long, five-game losing streak. Miami (25-27) maintained its grasp on the eighth and final playoff seed.

All of the tension, frustration and "calling out" of teammates and coaches that went on after the loss to Chicago on Saturday was channeled into one of the Heat's most resounding victories of the season.

"We just came in with an unbelievable focus," Heat forward and co-captain Udonis Haslem said. "We just came out like we were desperate, and that's what we're supposed to do."

The question is, can the Heat turn around quickly and do it again, with the Hawks up next Wednesday before the four-day All-Star break? Miami is assured of a losing record at the break, but it still has a chance to enter the break with a winning attitude.

D. WADE'S DOINGS: He didn't have to do much, for a change. Wade's supporting cast stepped up. Actually, that unit extended the lead to blowout status when Wade went to the bench in the second quarter. Wade had 17 points, seven assists and added a season-high five assists. He was 8 of 14 from the field, and even got back onto the highlight reel with a wicked dunk over Luis Scola in the second half. That should help him get over the facial he received from J.J. Hickson the other night in Cleveland. The most important stat was that Wade only played 29 minutes, which is huge considering he was able to conserve some energy for the Hawks on Wednesday.   

TURNING POINT: A 36-8 run in the first half took the Heat from a 14-11 deficit to a 47-22 lead midway through the second quarter. The Heat's starters began to pull away at the end of the first quarter after holding the Rockets to only 16 points in the period. But it was the second unit that put it out of reach. 

WINNING/LOSING EDGE: Ball movement was key. Spoelstra said he wanted the team to play at a faster pace, and that's what he got. Miami's 41 field goals came on 27 assists, with Wade, Dorell Wright and Carlos Arroyo each chipping in seven assists. The defense was just as dominant for the Heat, which held the Rockets to 30 percent shooting from the field and only 22 percent from 3-point range. 

HEAD-SCRATCHER: The all-or-nothing level of production from Quentin Richardson continued Tuesday, with the Heat's starting small forward picking up two fouls in a matter of seconds early in the first quarter. It was another night of early foul trouble for forward Michael Beasley, too. The Heat's two starting forwards have been in a bit of a rut when it comes to quick whistles recently. Beasley is usually able to shoot himself out of the problem, when given the time. Richardson has not had things go his way in quite a while. While Beasley likely will - and should - remain in the starting group, it might not hurt to send Richardson to the bench for a while, especially with Dorell Wright capable of giving the Heat more energy, length and athleticism at the small forward spot right now.

KEY CONTRIBUTION: Credit the Heat's bench for stepping up after being called out by the starters and the coaching staff for inconsistent production. Sure, it was a beat up Houston team. But the Heat was in no position to take any opponent for granted. Haslem had 14 points and a season-high 14 boards. Wright flirted with a triple-double, with nine points, seven assists and six rebounds. Carlos Arroyo ran the show, starting in the decisive second quarter, with 12 points, seven assists and no turnovers. Joel Anthony swatted five shots and altered nearly a dozen more. The bench accounted for 48 of the 99 points. 

NEXT UP: Heat at Atlanta Hawks, 7 p.m. Philips 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

[Rich]

IT WAS A BEAUTY!!! That's what you get when a Team is playing a not an individual(s) playing.

Carlos Arroyo...Just Beautiful the way he played tonight but it really was a TEAM EFFORT....

Grade A+ Tonight

[JDOGTHEDOG]

Wade on the show Homecoming? Guess I cant blame the man for making his money. Good win tonight Wade was passing the ball all that happen made himself and his teammates look better

[TureHeatFan]

right on wallace...just put wright in starting line up and q to the back of the bench...let james jones get a chance

[JDOGTHEDOG]

Wow! Watching the show reminds me how Wade had become my favorite. Damn wade y u stop shooting your mid range you were disgusting and w/e happen to that vintage spin?? i miss Old Dwayne

[Jmac]

I agree wid tureheatfan. DWade is a beauty doing his mid-range shots during the NBA finals wid dallas. why does he seldom use those shots when in fact he's much better than lebron at that facet of his game. Coach spo should start arroyo for he's a good playmaker.

[Ed E, Jones]

Arroyo is good for this team! He has so much control over his game and he's so much more efficient right now than 33% Alston. Here's hoping for a lineup change. Good game by Haslem and possibly Spo today.

[ebag]

dorrell, arroyo, and joe-L step it up for the win. what do these three players all have in common? they should all be starting!

anyway, i'm glad to see them finally win one, but i am not getting excited. not even if they beat atlanta. it is going to take more than a few wins for me to believe in this team

[dsky0921]

what was up with Shane Battier's mustache last night? He looked like an 80s pornstar.

[sporty-j]

Great game tonight but i have seen this act before. We will see what happens tomm night because we need to see this consistantly. If still think Joel Anthony should be starting because the guy is the only 1 who plays like he needs a check and because J.Oneal game conflict to much with Beasley game and we dont need to post players and i will rather have a shot blocker and a energy guy and that would help use even more with bench points and J.O. can get his touches when beasley is out. Q.RICH needs a wake up call and Dorrell has has earned the start and Q.Rich would add to bench points. Arroyo should have never been taken out of the stating line up. We need Cook to to being consistant at least sometimes im begging him and what ever happened to DAMON JONES? Glad all of those guys contracts are expiring because they are stealing right now and are to talented and depend on Wade to much. By the way, i think beasley and dorrell are out and we are bringing in Amare even though i would rather have Bosh. Amare is no diff from beasley as far as defense is concerned and beasley can hit some 3s but we have always made moves that has had me scratching my head.

[dsky0921]

what do you guys think of these four team trade ideas?

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ygf3acx

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=yzlw7nj

Does one work better than the other as far as the other teams are concerned? For some reason espn's trade machine wouldn't tell me if my favorite four team trade scenario would work but here's my best shot at explaining it (please note that the contracts should match up).

Miami receives:
Amare Stoudemire (2 years $16.3M)
Mike Miller (1 year $9.7M)

Phoenix receives:
Brendan Haywood (1 year $6M)
Mike James (1 year $6.4M)
James Jones (4 years $4.3M)
Andre Nocioni (3 years $7.5M)

Sacremento receives:
Jermaine O'Neal (1 year $23M)
Deshawn Stevenson (1 year $3.8M)

Washington receives:
Kevin Martin (4 years $9.6M)
Jason Thompson (2 years $2M)
Jason Richardson (2 years $13.3M)

thoughts?

[pmartin]

NICE WRITE UP WALLACE.
Qrich to the bench makes sense.
AND
Now that U.D. had a GOOD game
trade ROLE PLAYER HASLEM
while his trade value his high.
Heat needs Amare while he is available or he might opt for one more year.
And, Amare wants MAX money the only way is thru trade NOW; Shows Wade that Riley is doing something to improve team.
FURTHERMORE:
Lebron, Joe Johnson and Bosh are staying.
Memphis is keeping Rudy Gay.
LEAVING
NO big names for 2010.

[H. Combs]

Let's go Heat... Win or Lose. Solid win.

[rockstarjc]

RILEY please dont get involved BEASLEY in AMARE STOUDEMIRE trade!!! intead this could be better & fair for both teams...

miami send: o'neal / q-rich / + one of our 1st round pick 2010...

to SUNS: AMARE STOUDEMIRE / J-RICH...

thoughts???

line-up would:

pg alston / arroyo / chalmers(injured)
sg wade / *j-rich / cook
sf wright,d. / (*j-rich) / james jones
pf beasley / haslem
c *stoudemire / anthony,j. / magloire

waived: diawara

[pramis]

All of these reports of Riley offering everyone but Wade for Amare have me terrified if true, as that would be the single biggest mistake in Pat's career. Amare is 29, is often injured, plays no defense, and has never been a consistent difference maker in Phoenix. If that is the big move that Pat makes for the future, Wade might as well go to Chicago because we are going to be toast.

[JPEJEFF]

GOOD WIN NOW BEAT ATL.

[pmartin]

PRAMIS: IS CORRECT DUMB MOVE>
I want Amare BUT you have to keep Beasley.

If Beasley goes to Phoenix and plays with Steve Nash.
Watch Out !!!
Big numbers from Beasley; Beasley will put up big numbers like he did at KState; Because Steve Nash is REAL PG. and will look for him on Offense and not play the TOUGH LOVE game that Wade and Spo does.
QUESTION:
Will Spo play Amare in the 4th. with his BAD DEFENSE?
If he does Spo is a HYPROCITE.

[BEASLEY'S BIGGEST FAN]

i say pull the deal!!! pheniox here we come baby get ready!!!! nash & beasley & lopez i'd take that anyday over anything miami has to offer!!!! amare is not a superstar and plays no defense an will only show up to play when he wants to!!!!! PULL THE DEAL RILEY U BITCHH GET US OUTTA HERE

[Eddie]

Thank you for giving Arroyo the credit he deserves. He may not be the best PG in the NBA but he's the best the Heat has on its roster, hands down!

Last game was a complete team effort, both offensively and defensively. It was fun to watch.

The good thing Arroyo has going for himself is that he does not have to play with the pressure Alston's paying with. Arroyo goes in to take care of business and goes back to the bench. Alston (I think) was pushing the envelope a bit last night.

Anyway, it was a nice win and the entire team deserves the credit.

[UD's biggest fan]

I so want the Beasley to Phoenix deal to happen already. He'll be an even bigger star than we could have imagined. Look out for 40/20 games from him playing in their system with Steve Nash. He will also be their post player because Frye sits on the perimeter.

Riley get Beasley for Amare. I'll go watch them and forget about the Heat's forgettable season and future that will almost certainly be mediocre.

[WTF]

NOOOOOOOO!!!! DOC WTF ARE U DOING??? GET THIS DUMB DOUCHE RILEY ON THE PHONE MAKE A DEAL BIG-BABY FOR BEASLEY!!!! GET IT DONE RIGHT NOW BOSTON!!!!!!!

[WTF]

BIG-BABY FOR BEASLEY LETS GO CELTICS!!!!!!!

[black the trucker]

well, i think that deal makes a lot of sense... hey he's really the only player that could be out in a trade that would help this team improve... look you put amare with wade and now you have one of the best two-man tandems in the league... make that deal.... draft pick whatever...i would even throw cook and charlmers in the deal.. look, beasley, cook, charlmers, qrich, 1st round pick... done deal... they get younger and save money can't go wrong...

[WTF]

WTF HASLEM HAS FANS???

[pugtv]

Sweeet ... A National Media source is finally questioning whether Sporon will be around in 2010.

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/156172-will-spoelstra-coach-heat-next-season?eref=fromSI

"there's chatter that Erik Spoelstra won't last past this season, especially if Pat Riley lands another superstar in free agency"

Bye Bye Sporon. It's been annoying having you around. No thanks for wasting our time and underdeveloping our players. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

[BEASLEY'S BIGGEST FAN]

im with u 100% bra where ever u go i go love u my dude!!! GOD BLESS U & YOUR FAMILY!!!

[sporty-j]

Hey guys lets be easy on E.Spol and not just throw him out of the door okay. The man is a heat and is just out of his league as a head coach but he has value as an asst and should go back to being that. Its not his fault that Riley made him the head coach because he wanted to dictate to him what to do until he has a championship team hopefully in 2006 so he can swoop down and take over again. Its called pimpen. But i think Riley is starting to learn it aint EASY!!!

[JPEJEFF]

That deal will not get done.Beasley not going no where.This orgination enjoys cover.You got
plenty of that when you mishandle young players
and they sit your bench.When they go to another
team and blow up,there cover is blown-up.Tradin
g Beasley would be a nuclear explosion.If Wade
leaves and you end up with Amare,that would be
a dagger in the heart to a lot of fans & me to .The heart is what always keep you following a team.If Beasley went to 20/10 with
Nash with his prime years still yet not to come
,A lot of other fans would start feeling that
dagger cause Amare would be old when Beas hit
his prime.This is a mistake that wil last a DECADE.

[JPEJEFF]

U make a lot of sense sporty j.Sound like 1 of
them pony boyz.

[dred99 (I drive The Energy Bus with resiliency)]

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