It was ugly. But when things have been going the way they have at AmericanAirlines Arena lately, style points don't really matter.
Victories do. And the Heat summoned enough in the second half to run away from the Jazz and secure a 80-70 win Wednesday to close out the six-game homestand with a 3-3 record. In doing so, the Heat held the Jazz to its lowest scoring total of the season. The 80 points were also Miami's fewest in a victory this season, falling one point shy of the 81 it scored to beat New Jersey on Dwyane Wade's walk-off three.
The Heat (14-12) and Jazz barely combined for 60 points in the first half, with each producing their lowest output in a half this season. Turnovers were high. Field goals and assists were low. And I'm still not sure if it was great defense on behalf of both teams, or simply putrid offense.
The numbers would suggest good offense for the Heat, at least in the second half. Miami blocked a season-high 11 shots, held the Jazz to 37.5 percent shooting from the field and scored 28 points off 21 Utah turnovers.The Jazz was held 31 points below its season average.
"It was important for us to take a step forward with our mental toughness," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, with the Heat improving to 9-8 at home this season. "Toughness, defensive efforts, pursuits - they're all things that can be built through habits."
D. WADE'S DOINGS: Perhaps there's just something about facing the Utah Jazz that brings out the best in D. Wade. He provided another solid performance Wednesday. The last time Wade played the Jazz, he poured in 50 points in a triple-overtime victory last spring. That outing increased his scoring average against the Jazz to 30 points a game, his highest against a Western Conference team. This time, there was a bit more balance, a bit more lift, a bit more energy in his approach after a recent stretch of less-than-stellar play (to Wade's standards). Wade closed with 29 points on 12 of 28 shooting to go with seven rebounds, five assists and three blocks. He did most of his damage in the decisive third quarter, including two vintage, soaring dunks.
TURNING POINT: Miami used an 18-5 run midway through the third quarter to open its first double-digit lead. Wade found his rhythm during the spurt, flushing down a dunk on an alley-oop pass from Carlos Arroyo and also knocking down a mid-range jumper. Joel Anthony, who started the second half at center in place of the injured Jermaine O'Neal, was active on the boards. He had a blocked shot and a put-back following an offensive rebound to provide an energetic presence in the paint.
WINNING/LOSING EDGE: The 28 points off turnovers were huge for the Heat, which forced the Jazz into 21 uncharacteristic miscues. In a game where points were at a premium, the takeaways were huge.
HEAD-SCRATCHER: Another week, another nagging injury knocks center Jermaine O'Neal out of a reliable role for the Heat. This time, it was a right groin strain/hip flexor he aggravated just three minutes into Wednesday's game against the Jazz. The latest ailment came a day after O'Neal sat out of Tuesday's practice with the strain just below his right hip. But O'Neal also had been slowed by ankle and hip injuries earlier this season. And that's not good, considering this was supposed to be a bounce-back season of sorts for O'Neal, who spent the offseason working life back into his damaged knees and legs while training in Chicago with Tim Grover. The good news is that none of these nagging injuries have worked their way to O'Neal's knees. But it seems the guy can't catch a break and have a sustained run of uninterrupted performances. The Heat knew J.O. was damaged goods when he was acquired at the trade deadline last February. But the hope remains that he'll get right.
KEY CONTRIBUTION: Joel Anthony filled the stat sheet with plenty of hustle plays throughout the night. It was his energy that got the Heat going in the third quarter. Yeah, he did catch a mouthful of Deron Williams' dunk in the fourth quarter in what was perhaps the highlight play of the game. But other than that, Anthony provided rebounding on both ends, blocked shots, tip-outs, tip-ins and everything else you can do to help your team. He finished with eight points, nine rebounds and five blocks, one shy of his career high.
NEXT UP: Heat at Knicks, Friday, noon, Madison Square Garden
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