Miami Heat vs. Washington Wizards: Dwyane Wade Is On Fire!
Two teams headed in different directions meet at the American Airlines Arena in Miami tonight.
The injured Washington Wizards (2-5), still awaiting a game in which their big three will actually start together, face off against their division rival, the Miami Heat (5-1), who’ve been riding the cape of Dwayne Wade, the other Superhero in the state, called Flash.
Quick Hits
Both of these teams lost to Phoenix this past week, the Wizards being handed their fourth consecutive loss by the Suns, 102-90 and the Heat suffering their first defeat to the Arizona club in a disappointing 104-96 loss.
Since then, the Heat beat these same Wizards last Wednesday night on the road, and the Denver Nuggets at home last Friday.
Miami has won five straight against Washington and covered six straight spreads. During those past five wins for Miami over the Wizards, they've won by an average score of 99-85.6, a point differential of 13.4 points.
Injury Report
The Wizards are still missing star power forward Antwan Jamison who was shooting jump shots before the game last Tuesday. Although continuing to rehab his shoulder, he's progressing quicker than expected.
Washington point guard Mike James, who’s played only one game thus far, is out indefinitely with a broken finger, and Javaris Critterton just had the cast removed from his foot.
Add to that the recent injury of shooting guard Mike Miller, who will be out at least a week, and you have a team in trouble. They can't really afford to be without Miller, who has been quite productive during his games this season; pouring in 10 PPG, shooting 60 percent from beyond the arc, and grabbing two steals a game.
Contrary to Washington's woes, Miami's health is on the rise. Chris Quinn has been cleared to play tonight and will back up Mario Chalmers and Carlos Arroyo. Daequan Cook, if he can get through a full practice, may be cleared to play as well, which whill pretty much make Miami a fully healthy team.
Starting Matchups
Point Guards - Gilbert Arenas and Mario Chalmers
A finally-healthy Gilbert Arenas has led the Wizards in scoring in all but one game this year; averaging 36.1 minutes, 24.4 PPG, and 5.6 APG. He scored 34 points in the first meeting against Miami, while Chalmers was held to just five points. In Mario's defense, he did have eight assists and a couple of steals for the Heat in their victory.
Shooting Guards - Nick Young/DeShawn Stevenson and Dwayne Wade
Nick Young and DeShawn Stevenson should split much of the duties in this game due to the previously mentioned injury to Miller and will have a tough time with one of the best players in the NBA.
Dwayne Wade had 40 points, two blocks, and five assists in the first meeting this year and is fifth overall in scoring in the NBA averaging 28 PPG, just behind Toronto’s Chris Bosh. He should be able to go off in this game and continue his dominance of whoever he plays against.
Small Forwards - Caron Butler and Quentin Richardson
Caron Butler is second on the Wizards when it comes to offense and averages 16.5 PPG and 7.7 RPG. He had 13 points and 10 rebounds against Miami this year.
Richardson is averaging 10.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, yet had 19 points and nine rebounds in the game in Washington. This will be a good matchup again and is one to watch for.
Power Forwards - Fabricio Oberto/Andray Blatche and Michael Beasley/Udonis Haslem
Both these pairs should split playing time for their respective teams, but the clear advantage goes to the Heat with Beasley and Haslem who outscored the pair for Washington 23-12 in the last game with a lack of production out of the Wizards' Oberto. With the home court advantage added to the mix this margin of scoring may widen.
Centers - Brendan Heywood and Jermaine O’Neal
Heywood is averaging 11.3 PPG, 10.7 RPG, as well as 2.14 blocks. He's doing this in just under 33 minutes a game, and had 16 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks (yet was a minus-18) in 36 minutes in the first meeting.
Jermaine O’Neal has played the last couple games with a broken nose; though it hasn’t seemed to be affecting his play. Yet, he has complained about having problems breathing properly. He is averaging 14.7 points per game, good for second on the team.
Outcome
As the weather gets colder in Washington, the temperature in Florida is on the rise. The Miami Heat Dwayne Wade and their bench players will be too much for the injured Wizards and Gilbert Arenas battling for a road win of which they had only six last year and are 1-3 so far this year.
The spread in this game is -6.5 for Heat and they should cover this with ease. I honestly expect them to win by double digits. Maybe the Wizards should talk to the president and see if can suit up for a game he looked pretty good last time I saw him on the court.
All the Best!
