WASHINGTON -You had to see this one coming, right? So considering the recent trend, what does that say about Saturday's game against the Sacramento Kings?
"I'm anxious to see how we respond," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "Let's get on with this."
Friday's 24-point victory against Washington came two days after the Heat's 39-point loss at Charlotte, which came a day after Miami's 30-point win against Indiana. So, carry the one, and you've got a 93-point swing for the feast-or-famine Heat.
Should you expect a beatdown at home from the Kings. Or can the Heat really kick this horrendous habit of inconsistent play? Friday's easy victory against the Wizards probably raised more questions than it answered for this group. But this trend stops the moment the players get tired of extending it.
Might that be Saturday?
"It shouldn't take for us to get beat by 30 or 40 to come out and give effort and energy," forward Udonis Haslem said. "It's time for us to go on a run of our own. The teams behind us have gone on a run. It's time for us to try to go on a run of our own."
D. WADE'S DOINGS: It was a complete game for Wade, who came out looking to set up his teammates and then took over midway through the second quarter. Wade closed with 32 points and 10 assists to collect his 84th career double-double, which tied him with Shaquille O'Neal for seventh place on the Heat's all-time list. Wade got much love from the D.C. crowd. At times, it almost sounded like the game was played at AmericanAirlines Arena. He was dunking, dishing and simply dismissing any defenders who tried to guard him Friday. He had a nice rhythm with backcourt mate Rafer Alston and was in a groove with the Heat's big men, who were there to catch and finish his lob passes around the rim. "I just continued to attack, and I was feeling pretty good," said Wade, who was 12 of 19 from the field and 4 of 7 on threes.
TURNING POINT: After the Wizards cut it to 61-51 midway through the third quarter, the Heat responded with a 21-6 run to extend the lead 25 points. Miami's six-minute spurt was started by Joel Anthony's dunk on a lob from Wade, who then nailed two jumpers. Alston, Beasley, Anthony and Wade kept it going. The run included three 3s and two dunks. Washington withered.
WINNING EDGE: The 45 field goals on 29 assists showed a commitment to ball-movement and finding the open man. Wade and Alston had a combined 19 assists and set the tone. The guards were actively trying to keep the big men involved. That kept Jermaine O'Neal happy. It led to Miami holding a 42-28 edge in points in the paint.
HEAD-SCRATCHER: Again, how can this roster be so great one game and so awful the next? These are the same players, right? More important, will these be the same players who show up at home Saturday to face the Kings? I'll also clarify a comment made in the previous blog breakdown after the loss in Charlotte when it comes to who is responsible for how this team has performed. I suggested that this can't all fall on Spoelstra's shoulders and that Wade and the players should step up and be accountable for the nightly effort. I also mentioned that Wade and Spoelstra have the responsibility of answering for the shortcomings and frustrating efforts every night, while Pat Riley only has to come out every once in a while to face the music for the roster he assembled. Riley has been outspoken and accountable for the team this season. He has not been in hiding. Some took it that way. In fact, he's probably been more visible and outspoken that expected in some cases. That said, my point is accountability is an all-inclusive obligation.
KEY CONTRIBUTION: This had to be the most impressive 15-point, 8-rebound performance of Beasley's season. Know why? Because his best work was actually on the defensive end, where he limited Antawn Jamison to just eight points on 4 of 14 shooting. Beasley took the defensive challenge from the outset. Basically, he had no choice. Jamison had scored 25 or more points in eight of his previous 10 games. Beasley was intent on making a statement from the start. "I'm just tired of everybody just going at me to start the game," Beasley said. "That's it. Every game since last year, the first three, four, five plays are right at me. It's time I take a stand. I'm getting sick of it." 'Nough said young fella.
NEXT UP: Sacramento Kings at Heat, 7:30 Saturday, AmericanAirlines Arena
(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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