PHOENIX--Facing Shaq for the first time since being traded wound up being more of a footnote than the main attraction. The Heat stole the show. From start to finish the Heat dominated and 15-2 first quarter run allowed Miami to seize control of the game. The Heat climbed back to .500 (8-8) and this victory should not be understated. This was big. The Heat lost by 38 points Wednesday to open its five-game West Coast road trip. Erik Spoelstra put players through an intense Thanksgiving Day practice in Phoenix and his team responded against Phoenix. Yes, the Suns played without their MVP Steve Nash, and the Heat took advantage. The Heat has played without Shawn Marion three times this season and no he's not the floor general but the point is that Miami did what a good team would--take advantage.
Dwyane Wade led the way again but he got support from the rest of the starters. This was one of the Heat's most complete wins of the season and a good sign that the team is capable of bouncing back. Spoelstra and his staff came up with an excellent plan to contain Shaq and Amar'e Stoudemire and the Heat's defense prevented the Suns from making a run that truly made this a game. Shawn Marion provided sound defense in his first game against his former team and finished with 10 points and nine rebounds.
Player of the game: Dwyane Wade had another performance that left you saying, "There's nothing more he could have done." He scored a season-high 43 points, hitting 15 of 24 from the field and he had six assists, one block and one steal. Wade managed to find a way to outdo himself in this nationally televised game. For only the second time in his career, Wade scored at least 20 points in both halves.
Wade was in the zone and nothing could stop him. In the first half he slipped twice on what appeared to be Shaq's sweat, from the spot the Big Fella had been standing in defensively. This was a physical game for Wade will several spills and it is worth watching how he feels Saturday against the Clippers. No major cause for concern, but probably some bumps and bruises.
Surprise, surprise: The Heat's new look starting lineup that saw Joel Anthony at center, Udonis Haslem at power forward worked. Don't expect this lineup to become the norm. Spoelstra said that the Heat has struggled early in games where they had faced "size" up front so he decided to give Miami more by using the 6-9 Anthony (whose wingspan is about 7-4). The box score said Anthony had five points, two steals, two assists and three rebounds but those numbers don't tell the story of his contributions. He provided a noticeable post presence against O'Neal and his energy was solid in his 27 minutes. Anthony had ice on his left elbow after the game but he said it was no cause for concern, just so wear and tear from the game. The second-year kid deserves big kudos in the second start of his career. He did exactly what the Heat asked.
Tough night: Rookie forward Michael Beasley had the first scoreless game of his career, playing 13 minutes as a reserve and shooting 0 for 5. But he had five rebounds and at 19 he seems to be handling the highs and lows of his rookie season about as well as you could want. He said all the right things after the game about how he had no problem coming off the bench and just was happy the team was winning. This was not a case of a player just saying what you might want to hear. He meant it. Beasley knows that until his defense improves his playing time is likely to fluctuate.
Light em' Up: Second-year guard Daequan Cook broke out of his shooting slump (in his previous four games he was 5 for 25) and provided a spark off the bench, going 6 of 11 with 15 points. He also played sound defense. Cook hit several impressive jumpers and on a night that the Heat bench struggled offensively he was a difference-maker. Center Jamaal Magloire (making his season debut), Beasley, Yakhouba Diawara and Chris Quinn combined to shoot 1 of 13.
Stat of the night: The Heat forced 19 turnovers that led to 21 points, and when the Heat's defense is helping generating its offense the team usually has a good game.
Next up: Heat at Los Angeles Clippers, Saturday 10:30 p.m., Staples Center
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