Heat Burn Lakers

Well, sort of. 

The Miami Heat built a 12-point lead in the third quarter, only to have it evaporate to only one late in the fourth quarter, but managed to sneak by the Los Angeles Lakers in an 89-87 decision after Kobe Bryant missed a shot that would have sent the game into overtime.

That is not to downplay the importance of this win. Entering the game with a three-game losing streak, Miami showed toughness throughout the game and executed some key plays down the stretch. A team as talented as the Lakers would not have gone down without a fight, and this game is a big step in the right direction for the Heat. 

The third quarter, the stanza that has not been nice to the Heat on its three-game losing streak, was pivotal for Miami. The Lakers were out-scored 17-29 in that quarter, and a huge L.A. surge came up just short. The Heat went on a 16-4 run to close out the third quarter, combining good execution with stifling defense. In the waning moments of the quarter, Dwyane Wade had the ball at the top of the circle. Trevor Ariza poked it away, but Wade got the ball back and heaved it right in the basket for the deep three to give Miami a 12-point lead entering the final stanza of basketball. 

The fourth quarter started off with both teams turning the ball over, and no one scored until Andrew Bynum's hook shot with nine minutes and 12 seconds to go. L.A. proceeded to cut the lead to five before Daequan Cook hit a crucial three to give Miami an eight-point lead with seven minutes left. But the Lakers got it down to two after Bryant made a turnaround jumper with 41 seconds left. And when Wade missed a jumper at the other end, Miami would need a good defensive play. 

The Heat got three. 

After Bryant drove to the basket and dished it off to Odom, Joel Anthony blocked his short jumper. Odom got his own rebound and put it back up, only to have his shot blocked by Wade. Then the ball got into the hands of Pau Gasol. Gasol went up, but Wade was right there to block the ball as he brought the ball up for a layup. The ball went out of bonds, and the Lakers would have another chance with just nine seconds left. 

Gasol got fouled and made one of two free throws to make it a one-point game. After the ball was in-bounded to Wade, Odom got a little over-aggressive and would send Wade to the line. Miami's star guard sank one of two before Bryant's shot to send the game into overtime went in-and-out. 

What made Wade score 35 points on 13-for-25 shooting and two-for-four from beyond the arc, grab six rebounds and collect three steals? I just saw a player that got his offensive rhythm back. He has been double-teamed and triple-teamed before. Tonight, Wade managed to find the little cracks in the defense to get to the basket. And L.A. put some tough defense on the 6-foot-4 guard out of Marquette. Bryant has been known for his defense for years and Ariza has long arms to use on Wade. 

I have to give credit where credit is due. Shawn Marion had a great game for Miami. Gone were the times when he got the ball in the post and did not know what to do. Marion finished with 12 points on five-of-nine shooting and 11 rebounds for Miami. Tonight, Mario Chalmers recognized Marion's cuts to the basket and rewarded him. Marion got the ball from 15 feet out and drove to the rim and either got himself a bucket or found an open teammate. That is what I would like to see more of from Marion. 

Marion spent much of his time guarding Bryant, with Wade taking him on occasionally. Marion did not slow down last year's season MVP, but made him take some tough shots and allowed Wade to rest on defense, guarding Ariza and Luke Walton for most of the game.

Chalmers and Cook played well for Miami. Both looked to initiate offense when Wade rested. Chalmers drove to the rim on occasions and Cook came off of screens and made big shots for Miami. 

But the unsung hero for Miami was Joel Anthony. He was extremely active for Miami, with eight boards (four offensive), three steals, two blocks and four points. Anthony got Andrew Bynum into foul trouble and took him completely out of his game, but also set some nice screens for Wade to allow him to drive to the hoop. 

I was disappointed with the play of Michael Beasley. Coach Erik Spoelstra gave him plenty of first-half minutes, checking into the game with 7:45 left in the first and not coming out until midway through the second quarter. The problem was that Beasley never looked to attack the rim and initiate offense. When Wade is on the court, Beasley should be aggressive and look to score for Miami. 

Even with the Laker run in the fourth quarter, for Miami to beat the best-in-the-West Lakers was a good sign. Miami looked better on both sides of the court tonight, but will face a challenge tomorrow night. With the Heat and Nets deadlocked for the sixth seed in the East, the two teams will play in New Jersey at 8 p.m. 

Injury Report

Friday was the fifth anniversary of former Heat center Alonzo Mourning's kidney transplant -- and the first anniversary since his season-ending knee injury against Atlanta. Mourning spoke with reporters before the game and reiterated his desire to rejoin Miami once he finishes with rehabilitation.