Heat Host Nets

Yeah, the Heat lost to the New Orleans Hornets, courtesy of an electrifying Chris Paul and an off Michael Beasley. But for a team that is already one-fifth of the way to last season's win total six games in the season, it is hard for a fan to complain.

Miami opens a three game home-stand tonight against the New Jersey Nets. New Jersey will be without Devin Harris, who was involved in the Jason Kidd trade last seasob. New Jersey (2-3) will field a new-look team that features Bobby Simmons, Yi Jianlian, Keyon Dooling, Brook Lopez and the familiar sight of Vince Carter.

Carter has averaged 21.8 points per game in his first five outings. The task of guarding him will be given to Shawn Marion. Marion should be able to keep up with Carter and make things difficult for him, but Carter can go all the way out to the three-point line to knock down a shot. Marion will have to honor that if he wants to keep Carter grounded.

The Heat already has an identity. It is a team with active hands, sneaky steals and an efficient offense. Dwyane Wade has played as well as anyone could have expected him to. Through six games, the Beijing gold-medalist has averaged 26.2 points, eight rebounds and six-and-a-half rebounds per game. Beasley is not as lucky, but has still had his moments. One cannot expect a 19-year-old to suddenly become a definitive second scoring option, but 16 points and six rebounds through six games are good numbers by any standard.

Miami's youthful exuberance has been able to conceal its small front-line against teams such as the San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers. But it has been noticeable in the Heat's losses. With word coming out of Miami that Jamal Magloire is close to returning, it only provides more optimism for Heat fans. He was pretty pedestrian in his preseason appearances, but Mark Blount has been completely invisible.

James Jones is progressing nicely, as his return will surely be a welcome one. Chris Quinn has been able to score 14 points or more in his last two appearances, with consistent shooting from beyond the arc. Erik Spoelstra needed someone to step up in the absences of both Jones and Marcus Banks. Quinn has emerged as the unsung hero.

Miami has six of its next eight games in the AmericanAirlines Arena before going on a five-game road trip in the West. Spoelstra will undoubtedly be looking to polish his roster to sustain the potential unevenness on his road trip. Spoelstra can only hope that it will start tonight, against a depleted Nets team.