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Miami Heat at New Orleans Hornets: Can Chris Paul Be Stopped?

Danny DolphinNov 5, 2010

Tipoff: 8 PM ET, Friday November 5, 2010

Where: New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, LA

TV/Radio: Sun Sports, WINZ 940

Spread: Miami by 6.5

Records: Miami 4-1, New Orleans 4-0

Notes

โ€ข The Hornets have surprised early, beating quality opponents in San Antonio, Milwaukee, Houston and Denver en route to their undefeated record.

โ€ข Chris Paul is playing incredibly efficient basketball with a 9:1 assist-to-turnover ratio andย ridiculouslyย high shooting percentages (52 percent FG, 50 percent 3FG).

Keys to the Game ย 

1. Shrink Passing Lanes:ย Paul is one of the best point guards in the game. Heโ€™s going to make plays, but Miami can increase his turnovers byย continuingย to be active on defense, with hands in the passing lanes. Expect a decent amount of Dwyane Wade or LeBron James on Paul. Carlos Arroyo would have trouble staying with him.

2. Close Out on Shooters:ย The Hornets have their share of shooters in Paul, Marco Belinelli and Marcus Thornton, who all shoot above 40 percent from three. Belinelli and Thornton feed off Paulโ€™s penetration.

3. Pound It Inside:ย Chris Bosh again has a quickness/length advantage inside, this time against David West. Miami needs to spread the floor with Big Z and let Bosh go to work from the elbow with space. He is primed for a breakout game. Iโ€™d like to see more tenacity out of him.