LeBron James and Miami Heat: Predicting Each Score in November
With November officially here, it appears the South Beach trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are surprisingly gelling pretty well already.
Over the next month, the Heat face several tests, as well as many of what should be easy victories.
How will they fare in their first full calendar month together? Let's take a look.
November 2nd vs Minnesota
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On Tuesday, November 2, the young Minnesota Timberwolves travel down to South Beach to take on the Miami Heat. Perhaps the most interesting story to this game is forward Michael Beasley’s return to Miami, where he started his career as a second overall draft pick of the Heat.
Look for Beasley to make a considerable impact, as the former Heat player should be looking to prove a point to the team that abandoned him for cap space. However, the overwhelming amount of youth on this Timberwolves team will have a very difficult time stopping Miami’s high powered offense and finding open shots on their suffocating defense.
Prediction: Miami wins easily, 105-82.
November 5th at New Orleans
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Later in the week Miami travels up to New Orleans to take on Chris Paul and the Hornets, who will have a hard time keeping up with Miami’s trio.
And once again, Miami’s stifling defense will get the job done by creating offense through defense with numerous turnovers.
Prediction: Another easy win for the new South Beach trio, 98-83.
November 6th vs New Jersey
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Following the short one-game road trip to New Orleans, Miami returns to begin a six-game homestand, starting with the New Jersey Nets.
Miami easily ran all over New Jersey in its first matchup, as the big three spread the offense around, each with over 15 points in the 101-78 victory. Expect much of the same, as Devin Harris and Brook Lopez simply don’t have enough around them yet to pose a serious threat.
Prediction: Miami puts on another defensive clinic against the Nets and cruises to its sixth-straight win, 107-73.
November 9th vs Utah
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The Heat returns to the American Airlines Arena three days later for their second game of the homestand, taking on Deron Williams and the Utah Jazz.
The Jazz struggled at the opening of the season, but did, however, look impressive in a 120-99 victory over the young and talented Oklahoma City Thunder. If the Jazz want to have a shot against the Heat, they will need to be on their A game as they were against Kevin Durant and company.
Prediction: Utah keeps it close, but Miami puts up another big third quarter in route to a solid win over a quality opponent from the Western Conference. Miami wins 97-88.
November 11th vs Boston
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Just two days later, the Boston Celtics make their way to South Beach and will once again try to prove they are the best team in the Eastern Conference.
However, while opening night went Boston’s way, expect this one to go Miami’s. Unlike opening night, the Heat have seemingly found their offensive groove and will be out for a vengeance.
Prediction: With Miami’s offense in tune, the Celtics will have a difficult time dethroning the three kings of South Beach on their home court. Look for Miami to make a statement and win big, 99-84.
November 13th vs Toronto
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Following the showdown with the Celtics, the Heat find themselves taking on another lesser opponent in the Toronto Raptors.
Without Chris Bosh, Toronto will struggle all season long to find an offensive identity, and quite frankly against elite teams like Miami they have no shot.
Prediction: Easy win for Miami and Chris Bosh over his former team, as Miami wins 114-92.
November 17th vs Phoenix
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On the 17th, Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns come to town. Just as Toronto is moving on without its star Chris Bosh, Phoenix is doing the same without Amar'e Stoudemire.
Without Stoudemire, the Suns lack size down low, though the Heat do as well so this shouldn’t be too big of an issue.
Prediction: Miami wins, but in a close one. 104-99.
November 19th vs Charlotte
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To close out the long homestand, the Heat take on the Charlotte Bobcats.
The Bobcats, who will most likely finish fourth in the Southeast, will get their first taste of LeBron James and Chris Bosh as members of the Miami Heat, and it probably won’t taste good.
Miami’s defense is simply too much for an undermatched team like the Bobcats.
Prediction: Another easy win for the Heat, 101-76.
November 20th at Memphis
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After the homestand comes to a close, it’s off to Memphis for a quick road stop before returning home against the Indiana Pacers.
The Grizzlies are an up and coming team with plenty of young talent to go around. If LeBron James and the Heat take this one too lightly, it could set up as a perfect trap game.
Prediction: Memphis keeps it close for most of the game, but Dwyane Wade’s scoring helps the Heat pull away late. Heat wins 104-92.
November 22nd vs Indiana
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After the road game in Memphis, the Heat return home to the American Airlines Arena two days later to take on the Indiana Pacers.
The Pacers are a team that has struggled mightily for the past few years and will probably continue to do so this year in an extremely top-heavy Eastern Conference.
Prediction: The Pacers simply don’t have the horses to keep up with a high powered team like Miami. The Heat wins 110-86.
November 24th at Orlando
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Riding a 13-game win streak, the Heat takes their talent on the road a few hours north to Orlando for a rematch with the other instate powerhouse.
And just as the Heat were looking for revenge against Boston earlier in the month, Dwight Howard and the Magic will be doing so when LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh come to town.
Prediction: Using home court to their full advantage, the Magic even the in-state series at one with a close victory over the Heat. Magic wins 98-94.
November 26th vs Philadelphia
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Early in the season, Miami gained its first win with a easy victory in Philadelphia over the 76ers.
Expect much of the same when Philadelphia comes to town.
Prediction: Another easy win for the Heat as they get the ball rolling again, 104-84.
November 27th at Dallas
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Going without rest, the Heat hop on a plane and head out to Dallas to take on the Mavericks.
And while the Heat wouldn’t normally struggle with the Mavericks in midseason form, this rebuilt team will in fact struggle in a tough matchup. The second game in back-to-back nights is always tough, especially after a night of traveling.
Prediction: Much to Mark Cuban’s pleasure, the Heat fall to the Mavericks in Dallas, 108-101.
November 29th vs Washington
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To close out the month of November, LeBron James and the Miami Heat take on rookie John Wall and the Washington Wizards.
Wall is a future superstar, but he is no match for LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. If the Wizards want to have any shot, they must be able to use Gilbert Arenas to put points on the board.
Prediction: Easy bounce back win for the Miami Heat, 115-90.
