The game was tight for the entire game, especially in the second half. Jamal Crawford, who finished with 40 points and seven assists, hit a three-pointer with just under five minutes to play in regulation to put Golden State up 105-101. But on Miami's ensuing possession, Daequan Cook answered with a three of his own. Cook, who finished with 11 points on three-of-four shooting from downtown, later made another triple with 1:59 left to tie the game at 111 all. Warriors center Andris Biedrins would make an and-one layup on Golden State's next possession, giving the Warriors another slight lead. Later a bucket from each team, it was a 115-113 game for the Warriors with a chance for Miami to tie it up or take the lead with just seven seconds left.
Wade drove to the rim and kicked it out to rookie Michael Beasley for a 10-footer. He missed, but Udonis Haslem grabbed the rebound with just 2.4 seconds to go and made the point-blank layup as the time expired to send the game into overtime. The late Monday night game wound up being a very thrilling meeting between two offensive fire powers. And it only got better in overtime.
Crawford remained red-hot in the extra period, connecting on a fade-away jumper to put Golden State up 125-123 with 1:35 left to play. With just seven seconds to play in overtime, Chris Quinn connected on a catch-and-shoot three that tied the ballgame at 129 all. The Warriors would then in-bound the ball, bringing back memories of Wade's steal off of Baron Davis' in-bounds pass and then resulting in an inadvertent whistle by one of the referees that could have tipped the game in the balance.
Somehow, Beasley managed to do what Wade could not. It was surprising, seeing as how Beasley celebrated and walked back on defense after Quinn's three. But right before Biedrins made the in-bounds pass, Beasley turned around and reached for the ball. He got it, and was not falling out of bounds. The game was in his hands.
Beasley's first baby-hook attempt was blocked by Biedrins, but he stayed with it and got fouled on his second attempt for the game-winning shot. Beasley made one of the two free-throws, but the Warriors would still have a ray of hope. There were 3.6 seconds in a one-point game and the Warriors' timeout advanced the ball to their three-point line.
Stephen Jackson got the ball to Crawford, the Heat-killer. The man who scored a career-high 52 points against Miami two seasons ago. The man who registered a season-high 40 points against the Heat last night. He drove to the paint and tried the jump-shot, but got the unlucky bounce. The game was over. After a heartbreaking loss to the Clippers, the Heat delivered a heartbreaking loss to the Warriors.
None of the plays I highlighted were on baskets connected by Wade. But if you just looked at the boxscore, you would probably think that Miami's heroics were delivered by Flash. Wade registered 37 points on 12-of-28 shooting to go along with 13 assists, five rebounds and three blocked shots. He forced a few shots and tried to do too much ball-handling in the late stages of the game, but had a spectacular game overall. Wade now leads his buddy LeBron James for the scoring title by .9 of a point.
Shawn Marion was very pedestrian in the Clippers game, but was alive and well last night. The four-time NBA All-Star had 21 points on 9-of-16 shooting, 15 rebounds and three steals. Unfortunately, Marion fouled out in the game, having to watch the last moments in the game on the bench.Marion and his forward partner, Haslem made quite the duo. Haslem matched Marion's point total of 21 points and nearly evened him in rebounds with 13 boards. Haslem continues to appear more comfortable at the four, and this cannot be overstated. In his games starting at the four, Haslem has averaged 18 points on 62% shooting and 10 rebounds. The Miami native is playing at a star level.
Rookie Mario Chalmers had a solid game, with 12 points on four-of-eight shooting to go along with six assists. Chalmers was vulnerable on defense. Crawford was Golden State's "point guard" and stands at 6 feet and 5 inches. Miami ultimately went to a zone, which did not protect the rim for the Heat. This was why this game was so high-scoring and defense-less.
Beasley again provided instant offense off the bench. The 6-foot-9 rookie out of Kansas State had 19 points on 7-of-15 shooting and six rebounds in just 24 minutes. Beasley, however, continued with his poor decision-making on defense, and that will probably keep him on the bench at the start of games for the next string of games.
Cook and Quinn also provided sparks off the bench, finishing with 11 points and eight, respectively. Wade trusts Cook, and looks for him when he is driving to the rim. Quinn, meanwhile, also can connect on open shots. But Quinn's clutch three came off of an in-bounds pass. He came off of a screen, caught the ball in the corner and threw it up in the air while falling down. And it went in: no easy task.
Despite the nice win, one player performed poorly. Joel Anthony was not a defensive presence, and struggled against the athleticism of the Warriors. Anthony also failed to be a rebounding force, finishing with just two boards. Marion and Haslem did most of that work, and the Heat easily won the battle of the boards by a count of 51-36.
Erik Spoelstra had some fans scratching their heads when he inserted Marcus Banks in the game in the second quarter, who has been a walk-on for nearly the entire season. Banks committed two fouls in five minutes, and did not see playing time again. Was this an attempt to showcase the $4 million man to other General Managers or has Banks impressed Spoelstra during Miami's latest practices? Only time will tell.
Playing against the smaller Warriors, Spoelstra put Shaun Livingston on the active list and had Jamaal Magloire wear street clothes last night.
The Heat, back at .500 and in a three-team deadlock for the final two playoff seeds in the East, will finish up its road trip Wednesday night against the Utah Jazz at 9 p.m.
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