Forget about the rib injury, the sore left calf and the other nagging ailments that have bothered Dwyane Wade during the preseason. By now, it's official. Dude is regular-season ready.
Wade completed another test run for the Oct. 28 regular season opener against New York by toying with Memphis for three quarters and then putting away the Grizzlies down the stretch of Wednesday's 99-93 victory at AmericanAirlines Arena.
But even beyond Wade's 35-point effort were encouraging signs from the Heat. After an awful start in which Miami trailed by 18 points in the first half, the Heat rallied and used a 30-point swing to take a 12-point lead midway through the fourth quarter.
Wade had to work a bit harder with Michael Beasley, the team's second-leading scorer, sitting out with a sore shoulder and sprained right thumb. But there were plenty of "step-up" efforts from the supporting cast. The most encouraging sign has been the Heat's ability to put points on the scoreboard over the past three preseason games. Miami has scored 91, 97 and 99 points over its past three games.
There are still some concerns that need to be addressed. The Heat's perimeter defense is still spotty and opponents are also controlling the offense glass. But with the preseason wrapping up Thursday against Atlanta in Jacksonville, there is time to get those issues corrected before the games actually count.
D. WADE'S DOINGS:Wade provided a quick start and a lethal finish. The league's returning leading scorer tossed in a preseason-high 35 points on 13 of 23 shooting from the field and a 9 of 14 clip from the free-throw line. He also had six steals, five rebounds, three turnovers and two assists in 30 minutes. Wade scored 11 in the fourth, including the game-clinching conventional three-point play with 26 seconds left. Wade insists he doesn't want to work this hard night in and night out, which is why he tried to call for roster upgrades this season summer. But there are going to be plenty of games where Wade's best is barely going to be enough to get Miami by. Beasley's absence increased Wade's workload. But Wade would prefer to score in the mid-20s and put his teammates in position to make more plays rather than dominate the scoring column. Don't be surprised if he decides to take Thursday's game off and rest up.
TURNING POINT:There were many in this game. Memphis jumped out fast and led by as many as 18 early on. The Heat rallied and led by as many as 12 midway through the fourth. But the final momentum swing was the biggest, obviously. That's when Memphis used a 15-4 run to cut its deficit to a point with less than a minute left. Wade then closed the door with a three-point play and a breakaway dunk. Also credit Udonis Haslem with the hustle play to get a key loose-ball rebound in the final seconds.
WINNING EDGE:The Grizzlies were the team with four 7-footers, but Miami held a 7-3 edge in blocked shots thanks in large part to Jermaine O'Neal finally getting his defense going after a rough preseason that had been derailed by nagging injuries. O'Neal provided the type of defense the Heat will come to expect this season. He finished with eight points and added eight rebounds and four blocks. His offense will come around eventually. But the 8 boards Wednesday were five more than he's averaged in the preseason. It was a much-needed effort from J.O.
HEAD-SCRATCHER:The preseason is supposed to be when you settle on a rotation and establish some chemistry and continuity. That hasn't necessarily been the case for the Heat, which started its sixth different lineup in as many games. Miami hasn't opened with its expected regular-season starting lineup since the opener against Detroit. On Wednesday, the starters were Mario Chalmers, Wade, Quentin Richardson, Udonis Haslem and Jermaine O'Neal. This time, Beasley was the missing man. Last time, it was Haslem. The time before that, it was Wade. And the time before that, it was O'Neal. You have to wonder if this might affect the team early in the season until things get settled.
KEY CONTRIBUTION:Haslem continues to prove why he should be left alone as the starting power forward. He turned in another effective, efficient performance, with 17 points on 7 of 9 shooting. He also grabbed a team-high nine rebounds and handed out three assists. You can pretty much count on Haslem to give you this type of effort every night. He vows to be more aggressive on offense this season, which is where the nine FGAs came from. He'll continue to play within the team concept. But keep in mind, it's a contract year for UD, too. Beasley and Haslem should be able to co-exist at the forward spots. Beasley is versatile enough to play small forward and Haslem is too reliable to move out of the starting lineup at power forward right now.
NEXT UP: Heat vs. Atlanta Hawks (Jacksonville), Thursday - 7 p.m.
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