10 Trap Games The Miami Heat Must Avoid in 2010-11

"What's this whole world coming to? Things just ain't the same. Anytime the hunter, gets captured by the game. "

In today's NBA there are no sure wins. The league is balanced enough where on any given night the worst of teams can beat the best ones. That is unless you're the New Jersey Nets.

The Miami Heat will be entering this season with the highest of hopes. Every game is going to be viewed as an event, no matter where or who they're playing.

Miami can anticipate getting every teams best efforts night in and night out. Thus the Heat must be ready to prove and assert themselves every time they step on the court,

During an 82 game season it's easy to see how a team can come out and have a lethargic effort at any given moment. It's not easy getting psyched up for each and every contest, yet this is what Miami must be prepared to do in order to avoid any unexpected upsets.

There are teams which Miami can justifiably lose to, such as the Lakers, Magic, Celtics, and Blazers. Other than that any game which the Heat lose would be viewed as an unexpected loss.

We will now take a look at 10 games which Miami should win, but may end up on the losing end of.

@ The Dallas Mavericks On November 27

Miami should enter this game with a 15-1 or 14-2 record. They might start feeling a little too good about itself and complacency could set in.

The game itself comes the night after a Heat home game versus Philadelphia. The team then has to board a plane and head to the Lone Star State for a contest with Dirk Nowitzki and a capable Mavericks squad.

If Miami isn't careful they'll come out of this one with an unforeseen loss.

@ The Cleveland Cavaliers On December 2

You wouldn't expect Miami to take a night off versus LeBron's former team.

Still the Cavaliers will come into this game hungry to upset Miami and provide a reason for jubilation for the hometown fans, who are still bitter over LeBron's decision.

This will be Cleveland's playoff and NBA Finals all rolled into one. A win would do wonders for team and fan base morale.

Miami better be ready for the challenge or this one could turn out bad for the Heat.

@ The Utah Jazz On December 8

The Utah Jazz and Jerry Sloan always manage to be competitive.

Despite losing Carlos Boozer and a few other players, the Jazz are still a formidable Western Conference team.

Miami would enter Salt Lake City during a week long road trip. If they aren't careful this can easily go down in the loss column.

@ The Phoenix Suns On December 23rd

This one has trouble written all over it.

For starters, Phoenix is a talented team as is, which Miami would have a tough time with. Add to that, this game takes place two days before the much anticipated Christmas Day showdown in Los Angeles versus the Lakers and you have a recipe for a major let down.

Vs The Milwaukee Bucks On January 4

The Milwaukee Bucks are a vastly improved team and could make some noise in the Eastern Conference this season.

Miami would enter this game after having played at Charlotte the previous night. If they aren't focused they will get beat by the up and coming Bucks.

@ The Chicago Bulls On January 15

Chicago is going to turn some heads this season.

While the Magic and Celtics are viewed as the Heat's main threats to win the East, Chicago is trying to prove that it's a four horse race.

With Carlos Boozer, Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, along with a bunch of complimentary players, the Bulls will be better than many expect.

Chicago will be plenty motivated for this game, seeing how they may be upset with Bosh, James and Wade for having snubbed Chicago in favor of Miami.

Miami would enter this game after having played at altitude in Denver two days earlier. If the Heat don't play this one at their highest level they will lose.

@ The Charlotte Bobcats On February 4

Charlotte is one of the better Eastern Conference teams that gets very little attention or respect in the media.

The Bobcats have been a thorn in Miami's side on several occasions.

Miami would enter this game a night after having played the Magic in Orlando. You have to assume that the game the previous evening would be a hard fought battle, therefore the Heat could enter this contest a little fatigued.

If that's the case then expect the Bobcats to exploit a tired team and beat Miami.

@ The Toronto Raptors On February 16

Toronto doesn't have the talent to match up with Miami. Despite that look for the Raptors to give Miami all they can handle in this contest.

Miami would be entering its fourth game in six days and this is the last contest in a three game road trip.

With the game coming on a Wednesday night after having traveled for five days look for Miami to sleep walk in this contest.

If they do it would not be surprising to see the Heat get upset by an inferior opponent.

@ The San Antonio Spurs On March 4

The Spurs are an aging but still dangerous team.

On any given night San Antonio can beat any one in the NBA. On March 4, they will beat Miami.

The Heat enter this game a night after having battled the Orlando Magic. Just like the Bobcats might expect for the Spurs to definitely exploit an exhausted Heat team.

The Spurs should win this contest based on several factors. Look for prideful and talented veterans such as Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan to take care of business and send Miami away with a loss.

@ The Atlanta Hawks On April 11

The Hawks are in that second tier of talented teams in the East. They are neck and neck with the Bulls and Bucks.

Miami enters this contest a night after a game versus Boston. It's also the game before the regular season finale.

With not much to play for, depending on the conference standings, look for Miami to just go through the motions versus Atlanta.

Miami will be gearing up for their playoff run and won't give their best effort on this night.

Expect Atlanta to win this one as they'll likely have much more to play for.

You Can Hate Miami Now!!

Miami is locked and loaded for this upcoming season. So while we ran down a list of ten possible trap games don't be expecting too many losses this year as the Heat will win 70 games in 2010.

We Already Won!!!!

Miami better back up all the hype this season because there are some great expectations they must meet.