JACKSONVILLE - So the Heat didn't exactly end the preseason with a bang. Instead, there were a few familiar breakdowns that caught up with Miami in Thursday's 92-87 loss to the Hawks at Veteran's Memorial Arena.
After a 2-5 finish to the preseason, it's now on to the games that actually count in the standings. The Heat is far from a finished product. But there are signs of progress from a few players who could be key in the rotation. Daequan Cook continues to shine, having led the Heat in scoring for the third time this preseason, this time finishing with 20 points.
Carlos Arroyo is getting far more comfortable with the offense. He led the team with six assists in 27 minutes, an effort that helped to offset Mario Chalmers' 1 of 9 shooting night. If there is a significant concern with this team - and there are a few of them - they begin with the Heat's inability to consistently defend the perimeter. The Hawks shot 57.1 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point range. They benefited from those kind of numbers on the way to eliminating the Heat in seven games during last season's playoffs.
Even though the Heat has started six different lineups in seven preseason games, coach Erik Spoelstra insists he's closing in on an eight or nine-man rotation. He just won't say who's in and who's out because he hasn't told his players about their roles just yet.
But figure on the backcourt of Mario Chalmers and Dwyane Wade, with Michael Beasley and Udonis Haslem at the forward spots and Jermaine O'Neal at center. Beyond that, I'm pretty confident that Cook and Joel Anthony are the first two off the bench. That gets you to a seven-man rotation. The final one or two spots are a bit difficult to figure. James Jones seemed to be a lock at one point, but then Quentin Richardson starting getting the starts over the past few games. And then there's Carlos Arroyo, who should be a lock. But that would depend on how much time Wade wants to spend at point guard.
So with five days remaining before Wednesday's opener against New York, the Heat essentially has three guys battling for the final two spots in the primary rotation. How will it shake out? Your guess is as good as mine at this point. It's one area where Spoelstra is truly unpredictable.
D. WADE'S DOINGS: Coming off a 35-point outing Wednesday, Wade had a rather pedestrian 13 points, five assists and three steals in 29 minutes. His shot was off (3 of 11), but this was more about seeing how his legs and conditioning level would be, playing a back-to-back set. As was apparent Wednesday, Wade is in mid-season form. He just has to get one or two more teammates to that level as well. Cook, Beasley and Haslem are there. Two more would be huge for this team.
TURNING POINT: After the Heat pulled to within 63-60, the Hawks responded with a 9-0 run to retake control of the game. Joe Johnson made a few jumpers and that was that. Offseason pickup Jamal Crawford also added to the damage with 12 points and 3 assists off the bench. Keep in mind that Johnson is a free agent at the end of the season, just like Wade. The two spent a considerable amount of time talking to one another outside the locker rooms when the teams arrived at the arena. A potential Wade-Johnson-Beasley 1-2-3 punch wouldn't be a bad combination at all. Not saying. Just saying.
LOSING EDGE: It was an awful shooting night from the start for the Heat, which missed 12 of its first 13 shots and closed the game shooting only 36.8 percent from the field. Miami was only 26.9 from 3-point range. Just when it appeared the Heat was getting its offense in gear, the transmission slipped Thursday.
HEAD SCRATCHER: There were plenty from which to pick. There was the comedy from Wade, who was frustrated with an early non-call from the replacement refs. Wade went to the scorer's table and asked: "Can I get a rule book ... so I can show them." There were also several times when Carlos Arroyo, who arrived last week, had to slow down the offense to show Dorell Wright, who has been here for five years, where to go. Inconsistency is still haunting Wright. Another head scratcher came at the end of the first half, when Mario Chalmers fouled Marvin Williams as he was attempting a half-court shot at the buzzer. Williams went to the line and made all three free throws to put Atlanta ahead 44-31 at the break.
KEY CONTRIBUTION: Daequan Cook continues to do everything he can to earn a solid rotation role this season. He led the Heat in scoring for the third time this preseason. He was 8 of 15 from the field, including 4 of 8 from 3-point range. Cook has been making more plays off the dribble and is no longer simply a spot-up shooter. He had four turnovers Thursday, but you can live with a few aggressive mistakes if he continues to improve at his rate. Cook (pictured right) even joked after the game that he might challenge Jason Terry and Lamar Odom for Sixth Man of the Year honors this season. We'll see. But he's on the right track after two inconsistent seasons in the league.
NEXT UP: Season Opener - Heat vs. New York Knicks, 7: 30 Wednesday (AmericanAirlines Arena)
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