Miami Heat-Orlando Magic Preview: Key Matchups in Miami's Home Opener
On Friday night, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the rest of the Miami Heat play their home opener against Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic. Pat Riley's team enters the game at 1-1, easily handling the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday after a disappointing first game against the Boston Celtics. Orlando won its first-and-only game in a blowout at home versus the Washington Wizards.
The game is packed with story lines.
In the LeBron James tour of exacting revenge on all the "haters" from this summer, Magic GM Otis Smith becomes the first stop. This summer, after James announced that Miami would be his free agency destination, Smith proclaimed: "I was surprised that he went (to Miami). I thought he was, I guess, more of a competitor."
Pat Riley defended his new acquisition stating that "when Otis Smith made a point about LeBron's competitiveness because he didn't stay in Cleveland, I thought it was an absolutely stupid remark."
After the enthusiastic reception of the Miami Thrice in July, it is certain that the American Airlines Arena will be an intense atmosphere for the Heat's home opener. LeBron James will enjoy not being booed whenever he touches the ball, but the Heat need to remain vigilant of a Magic team that has won three-consecutive Southeast Division titles.
In what should be a hotly contested affair, here are some key matchups to watch for:
Dwight Howard Versus Joel Anthony and The Heat Centers
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In under 30 minutes against the Wizards, Howard filled up the stat sheet, scoring 23 points while adding 20 rebounds and three blocked shots. Howard, the undisputed best center in the league, will be the Magic's greatest advantage over the Miami Heat.
Over two games, Miami coach Eric Spoelstra has gone with a smaller lineup featuring both Udonis Haslem and Chris Bosh. While Joel Anthony has started both games, he has been splitting time with Zydrunas Illgauskas and Udonis Haslem at center.
None of the Miami options at center will compare to a dominant Howard. Miami's most likely strategy will be to drive at Howard in hopes of getting him into foul trouble. Unless Miami is able to get Howard off of the court, they will have no answer for him defensively.
The Magic have an overwhelmingly advantageous matchup with Howard.
LeBron James Versus Quentin Richardson and Mickael Pietrus
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It can be argued that this is Dwyane Wade's team, but any game plan against the Miami Heat will revolve around LeBron James. Pietrus has a history of successfully guarding James. But as the backup, he will see the minority of the minutes. Richardson, on the other hand, is not known for his defense and will struggle against the athleticism of James.
In order to avoid Dwight Howard fouls against a driving Wade and James, the Magic will turn to double-teams and zone defenses.
On the other side of the ball, Richardson's three-point shooting threat will keep James away from the basket, increasing pressure on the Heat's frontcourt to keep the Orlando Magic, specifically Dwight Howard, off of the offensive boards.
The advantage here lies with the Heat.
Dwyane Wade Versus Vince Carter
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This matchup features two of the most electrifying players to ever play in the NBA.
After a rough start in Boston, Wade went off against the Philadelphia 76ers, scoring 30 points on 10-for-20 shooting from the field. Wade filled up the rest of the box score as well, adding seven rebounds, four assists, three blocks and two steals.
The performance was especially encouraging because of Wade's struggles against the Celtics, when preseason rust was apparent in his game.
In the Magic's first game against the Wizards, Carter put together an offensively productive night with 18 points on 8-for-12 shooting. However Carter, who turns 34 this season, has recently begun to decline as a player over the past couple years.
While the 12-year veteran can still produce offensively, it will be difficult for him to stay with Wade, especially if Wade repeats his shooting performance from the 76ers game.
The Heat claim the advantage in this matchup.
Chris Bosh Versus Rashard Lewis
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Lewis is a major component of the three-point shooting threat that the Magic put on the floor. The Magic, with four starters who are threats from downtown, will attempt to spread out the Heat's defense to create room for Dwight Howard to work in the middle.
Lewis is another Magic player that has seemed to decline over the past couple of years. While he remains one of the top three-point shooters in the league, his offensive game is no longer what it once was. Lewis does present an interesting matchup for Chris Bosh, who is more of a post-oriented power forward.
Bosh's statistics have taken a nose-dive from last season in his first two games with the Heat. While his minutes have actually increased, Bosh's points have been cut in half and his rebounds and shooting percentage have also faltered.
It is doubtful that Bosh continues this poor play throughout the season however, and just as Wade broke out against the 76ers, Bosh is a strong candidate to break out in the first game at home for his new team.
Bosh gets the edge in this matchup.
We do know that he will try to put on a show for the viewers.
Jameer Nelson Versus Carlos Arroyo
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In the only starting matchup with no superstars, the Nelson-Arroyo contest is perhaps the most boring.
Arroyo began the season as the default Heat starting point guard with Mario Chalmers still recovering from an ankle injury. The nine-year veteran has struggled in the first two games, averaging under five points and one assist in 20 minutes per game.
Consequently, coach Eric Spoelstra will turn to Dwyane Wade and LeBron James to handle much of the ball-handling duties against the Magic. Arroyo is not much of an offensive threat and struggled against Rajon Rondo and Louis Williams in the Heat's first two games.
Nelson began the season on Thursday night with a strong performance against the Wizards. The former Saint Joseph's Hawk scored 16 points on 75-percent shooting and added six assists.
Besides Dwight Howard, Nelson provides the Magic their best opportunity for a mismatch against the Heat. Yet another three-point threat for the Magic, Nelson will challenge Arroyo and the Heat defensively. Additionally, Nelson will likely play off of Arroyo in help defense and challenge him to make outside jump shots.
The Magic have a sizeable advantage in this matchup.
Conclusion
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Talent-wise this is a difficult matchup to call. Miami claims an advantage with the top talent on the floor. However, the Magic have more depth and three-point shooting ability. When a team as good as the Magic is shooting well from downtown, it is difficult to stay close in the game.
On the other hand, with every additional game, the Miami Thrice will improve their team chemistry.
The game will eventually come down to home-court advantage. American Airlines Arenas will be an electrifying atmosphere.
LeBron James will want to show his appreciation for the support from Miami fans. Chris Bosh will want to show he is not just the third best player on this team, but still a top power forward in the NBA. Dwyane Wade, as always, will want to protect his home court and prove that staying in Miami was the right decision.
With so much on the line so early in the season, there is no way that Miami falls in their home opener.
