Despite Beasley's Struggles, Heat Beat Nets

Coming off of a 28-point, nine-rebound game against Derrick Rose, Tyrus Thomas, Joakim Noah, and the rest of the Chicago Bulls, few would have predicted Michael Beasley would have a bad game. He had a terrible game. He missed his first 10 shots, went one-for-13 overall, committed seven fouls (players cannot foul out in summer league play), and committed five turnovers. He came off the floor limping in the fourth quarter, and no word is out on whether he will be available tomorrow. But what was more surprising than Beasley's struggles is what the Heat managed to do without him.

New Jersey's summer roster touted college standouts Chris Douglas-Roberts, Brook Lopez, Sean Williams, Julius Hodge, and Ryan Anderson. Yet Miami was able to lead the game for the vast majority of the game. Much of the credit has to be given to Mario Chalmers, Miami's second-round pick. Chalmers, this time against former Rose teammate Douglas-Roberts, was able to get to the rim at will. He made it to the charity stripe 10 times, and was a solid five-for-10 from the field. He was a true floor general, dishing out nine assists in the game. The downside of his game was his six fouls and three turnovers.

Miami was able to go into the break with a 43-34 lead. Beasley continued his poor shooting in the second half, and the Nets got back in the game. Ryan Anderson and Brook Lopez combined for 18 points in the third quarter alone. Anderson's three-point shooting and Lopez's inside game was able to create an inside-outside game. Miami was able to go into the final period with a slim 66-61 lead, but Anderson hit a three-pointer with just over six minutes to go to give New Jersey a 71-69 lead.

It was looking to be a close game. Mario Chalmers made sure that didn't happen. He made a driving layup in traffic to give Miami a one-point lead and later found Anthony Morrow for a wide open triple. That shot was the dagger for New Jersey, as Miami was able to come away with a nine-point lead at the end of the game.

Kasib Powell and Stephane Lasme both provided solid performances again. The 6'7" Powell shot six-for-10 from the field for 17 points, grabbed five boards, and committed just one turnover in 34 minutes. Lasme played with heart, shooting five-for-six from the field for 13 points. He had a willingness to dive to the floor for loose balls, something seldom seen in today's players.

Anthony Morrow was another noteworthy standout. The 6'6" guard out of Georgia Tech connected on five three-pointers and finished with 19 points. Morrow has a picture-perfect stroke, especially in the open court. As impressive as Morrow was, Daequan Cook will be asked to do the same thing Morrow is asked of. You have to give the edge to Cook because he has proven himself among legitimate NBA-level competition.

Josh Duncan was inserted in to the starting lineup, replacing David Padgett. Duncan had a solid game, with nine points on three-of-five shooting, but he is not anywhere close to Miami's answer at the center. He is more of a perimeter player, and the Heat do not need another Marcus Blount.

The 2-0 Heat will face off against the Indiana Pacers tomorrow at 7:00.