It's official. The Miami Heat has perfected the art of inconsistency. Two games of sheer disaster have been followed by two outings of total domination.
Two games after being blown out in consecutive contests by Dallas and Memphis, the Heat pulled even in its six-game homestand by throttling Toronto and Orlando.
So where does this team stand? Which team is on display on a given night? If you aren't familiar with the theory of what goes up must come down, and then go up again, just watch a few Heat games.
The latest edition of the Heat produced perhaps its most complete victory of the season with Thursday's 104-86 destruction of the Orlando Magic at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Miami shot 52 percent from the field, 50 percent from three-point range and had 25 assists with only nine turnovers. It was effective. It was efficient. It was energetic. This was the good Heat. This was a precise Dwyane Wade. This was a consistent Michael Beasley. This was an aggressive Dorell Wright. This was a calm, cool and collected Carlos Arroyo. This was complete.
D. WADE'S DOINGS: Yes, Dwyane Wade aggravated that sore right wrist when he smashed J.J. Redick's layup against the backboard. Wade emerged from the locker room with his shooting wrist wrapped in a bandage filled with ice. He insists there's no additional damage to the wrist. He didn't want to make that an issue on a night when the Heat took another step toward regaining its footing. Wade did his part with one of his most efficient efforts of the season. He was 10 of 17 from the field for 25 points, seven assists, no turnovers, three rebounds and three blocks. This is about the rate of production Wade insists he's most comfortable with. For the third straight game, he watched the completion of blowouts from the bench. The last two have been of the good variety as far as the Heat is concerned.
TURNING POINT: This one belonged to the Heat from the outset. Miami opened with a 23-13 run, with Beasley, Quentin Richardson, Wade and Haslem all contributing to the initial spurt. Miami tied its season high with 33 points in the first quarter. That balance would carry the Heat through the rest of the game. It would lead by as many as 29 points and cruise to victory.
WINNING EDGE: It's hard to lose when you shoot nearly 52 percent from the field and go 7 of 14 from three-point range. Better yet, it's even tough to falter when you hold the high-scoring, streak-shooting Magic to 43.6 percent. Orlando also missed 19 of 28 three-point attempts. Simply put, the Heat beat the Magic at its own drive-and-kick, inside-out offensive game.
HEAD-SCRATCHER: Two words: Miami Heat. You just can't help scratching your head when you watch this team from one game to the next. You'll get dizzy from all of the up-and-down play. At some point, this team has to level off. Doesn't it? DOESN'T IT?
KEY CONTRIBUTION: Quentin Richardson came back after missing time with a hamstring injury. Yes, Beasley had 22 points and eight rebounds. And he was huge once again. These type of games are expected of him now. He's that type of talent. So having said that, Beasley has surrendered his X-factor status to Richardson. When Q-Rich scores in double figures, the Heat is now 6-2. He got the offense going with a huge first quarter. Richardson scored eight in the opening period, including two three-pointers. He finished with 11 points and four rebounds. Carlos Arroyo was also huge, with seven assists and zero turnovers in his second start.
NEXT UP: Trail Blazers at Heat, 6 p.m. Sunday
(For live news, notes and updates on the Heat, follow me on Twitter @ twitter.com/wallacesports. To post a question or join our live Heat chat each Thursday from 1-2 p.m., click here.)
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