Chris Bosh had 35 points in the Heat's 92-85 victory against the Cavaliers on Tuesday. Bosh has scored 30 or more points in three of his last five games. Of course, Dwyane Wade hasn't played during that stretch. After Tuesday's game, LeBron James said Bosh's level of confidence is the best thing to come out of the Wade's injury.
"You see a lot of good come out of some injuries," James said. "You never want any injury to our team but we seen what C.B. has done since the injury and he's back to playing like he was and getting the ball and just attacking, either with his jump shot or attacking the rim, which he did. He did pretty much everything he wanted to do in the fourth quarter tonight."
So, the obvious question is, how will Bosh adapt when Wade returns to the court? It will be an important question later this week. Wade appears to be on track to return to action for nationally televised games against the Knicks and Bulls on Friday and Sunday.
"Whatever the team needs me to do, I'm going to do," Bosh said. "We have guys on this team who need to fill specific roles and that's what makes a team.
"When Dwyane comes back I know that [shots are] going to go down quite a bit but I'm just trying to just be a good team player now and in the future."
Bosh agreed that being comfortable with his surroundings "has a lot to do with" his current hot streak. Specifically, the post play of James has helped Bosh find his place on the floor, which is 16 to 23 feet away from the basket where he can set up for an outlet pass and either drive to the basket or spot up for one of his silky smooth jump shots.
"Sometimes you can see things before they happen and sometimes the best move is that shot," Bosh said. "It's a good shot for the team and I just try to play team basketball."
Then Bosh added: "People say don't fall in love with it, but it loves me so I love it back."
The emphasis James and Wade have put on scoring near the basket has also allowed Bosh to extend his game to the three-point line, where he's shooting 30 percent this season.
"I think it's a good shot," Bosh said. "I practice it a lot and its something I can shoot with confidence, especially with Dwyane and LeBron being in the post a lot more and shooting less threes, I figure I can shoot more."
James agrees that Bosh has returned to his comfort zone in the Heat's retooled offense.
"I think it's confidence," James said. "It's who he was. I think he made the biggest adjustment with this whole situation."
REMEMBERING CLEVELAND
James was asked a somewhat leading question on Tuesday if playing Cleveland is now like playing any other team. James offered an interesting answer. He said it's still emotional to play the Cavs but not for the reasons you might think. James said he enjoys playing the Cavs because he likes sharing the court with his old teammates.
"It's always going to be some emotion to that game no matter what," James said. "Just being out there playing alongside my old teammates. We have a lot of history together. A lot of battles -- postseason, regular season, everything. When you talk about chemistry, we had a lot of chemistry. So, it's always good to see them. It's always good to play against them. It reminds me of practice."
-joe
Sloppy game, but you got to win those too.
Nice job of 'closing' out the game by the Heat. I don't think they lost the lead at all during the fourth quarter. Even though that didn't mean a buzzer beater three by any of our players, it was still good to close out a close hard fought game.
Turnovers are taking it's toll.
Bosh, Chalmers, and Miller get my game acolades.
Posted by: Greg Gembe | Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 08:09 AM
Fatigue is playing such a big factor more than ever with the majority of these NBA games. Lebron just looks tired as of late...logging so many minutes with Wade being out. Fatigue = turnovers. Tonight should be interesting when watching each team's energy level.
Spo & his staff made a smart shift with the two guard look late in the game opening up the floor with a different energy.
It's weird...Heat struggle on the boards vs big frontline teams with bangers...then handle a Laker team with an imposing tall tandem with relative ease. Explanation : fatigue factor.
Posted by: RP | Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 09:18 AM
.....or......
the Lakers are done, throw some dirt on them. Bynum is overrated, Kobe is running on old tired legs, Fish....please, Meta World Peace needs to Meet-a World Prayer for a jump shot.
Posted by: Greg Gembe | Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 10:12 AM
Hello ? So you wouldn't want Bynum or Gasol on your team ? And...you didn't see those no-name bangers on the Cavs own the boards last night ? Oh...I get it...I also lost my thoughts watching Johanna Gomez.........
Posted by: RP | Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 01:48 PM
No names bang harder than names sometimes. Just because they aren't on ESPN's list of stars, don't mean they can't ball. Just means you won't see their replays in slow motion, from 6 different angles, while Stu Scott has a Chris Matthews moment - giving his gangsta-verbal-fellatio to the sound track.
Gasol is one of the best offensive post players in the game. Bynum is big. That's the upside. I'll keep Bosh at this stage, over Gasol. And JA is way more mobile than Bynum, meaning he can defend more than 10' from the basket, and can run the floor.
How about Kobe? Do you want him on the Heat?
How about a trade of Battier for Artest, would you do it?
Posted by: Greg Gembe | Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 02:42 PM
You'd take Joel over Bynum ? Crazy !
The point was...and is - no rebounds, no rings. Keep an eye on the fact that the Heat continue to get manhandled on boards which really shows when the outside shots don't drop (due to fatigue)...just like last night.
Posted by: RP | Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 03:22 PM
I didn't say I would take Bynum over JA. I was stating some positives for both players. There are things that JA does better than Bynum, and things Bynum does better than JA. JA fits well into this team for many reasons, one being salary.
And I'm familiar with the no rebounds - no rings mantra. I believe Riley started preaching that during one Championship against the Celtics, probably 85 or 87. Do you remember back that far?
Posted by: Greg Gembe | Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 08:33 AM
Heat playing to other team's level...not a good sign for a championship team. Hope Spo continues to go with a two guard set when matchups appear.
LeBosh prevails !
Posted by: RP | Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 08:50 AM
Well deserved Kudos to Bosh. Keep it up CB!!!
Losers always revert to fan participation on Miami teams, but did you see the crowd in the palace in detroit?!?!? Yikes! That was pathetic.
Posted by: SickCaneFan | Friday, January 27, 2012 at 02:32 PM