Los Angeles Lakers or Miami Heat: Which NBA Superteam Gets To 20 Wins First?
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat were the most talked-about teams leading up to this 2010-11 NBA season. Most people predicted these squads would eventually meet for a seven-game series in June for the title.
While both teams look good on the surface, the Lakers seem to be outperforming the Heat.
Los Angeles is 7-0 and is averaging 13.6 more points than their opponents. Miami is 5-2 and is averaging 13.2 more points per game than their opponents.
The Lakers have the better record, and after last night, the better point differential.
I'm inclined to say that actual wins and losses are a much more telling statistic than point differential, but the Lakers have both categories right now.
Can the Lakers keep up this pace? Will the Heat catch them? Which team will get to 20 wins first? Let's look at each and every upcoming game in the next few weeks for both teams and see...
November 9: Jazz at Heat
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Deron Williams is going to be the next elite point guard to get a crack at the Heat. So far this season, the Heat have faced two such players, and they're 0-2 against them. Rajon Rondo and Chris Paul both picked the Heat apart.
We knew going into the season that the point guard and center positions would be glaring weaknesses for the Heat, but I'm not sure anyone thought it would be this bad.
I see Williams coming into Miami and lighting up Carlos Arroyo. Paul Millsap will continue to dominate as well.
Wade and James will continue to play well, but Chris Bosh's current funk will continue against Millsap and Al Jefferson.
Winner: Jazz
Heat Record: 5-3
November 9: Timberwolves at Lakers
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Kobe and the rest of the Lakers will roll over the Timberwolves in Los Angeles. Minnesota has been an absolute mess since before the season began.
Minnesota general manager David Kahn has assembled a ragtag bunch and coach Kurt Rambis is hesitant to play the only elite player they have. Kevin Love is averaging 16.9 points and 11.7 rebounds in just 27 minutes per game.
This game will not be close.
Winner: Lakers
Lakers Record: 8-0
November 11: Celtics at Heat
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Like I said before, elite point guards are killing the Heat. However, it won't result in a loss on this night.
Miami will have some major sources of motivation for this game: Already having three losses this early in the season won't sit well with LeBron James or Dwyane Wade, they'll be at home and they'll want to avenge their opening night loss to the Celtics.
The game will be close all the way through.
Winner: Heat
Heat Record: 6-3
November 11: Lakers at Nuggets
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The Nuggets always seem to bring a little something extra against the Los Angeles Lakers. Over the course of a seven-game series, that little extra doesn't matter. However, it does give them a chance on any given night.
This will be the Lakers' first game of the season at high altitude, and I think the Nuggets' run-and-gun style will have them worn down by the end of the third quarter.
Look for J.R. Smith and Carmelo Anthony to get hot from the perimeter in the fourth.
Winner: Nuggets
Lakers Record: 8-1
November 13: Raptors at Heat
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This is another mess of a team. The Raptors weren't great with Bosh, but now they're almost pitiful.
Toronto doesn't have any hope of containing the Heat, or scoring much on them for that matter.
Heat roll.
Winner: Heat
Heat Record: 7-3
November 14: Suns at Lakers
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Steve Nash and Suns fans have got to be missing Amar'e Stoudemire more than they thought they would. Hakim Warrick and Hedo Turkoglu just aren't cutting it at the power forward position.
Without Amar'e, Nash has been forced to take on more of a scorer's role, and his assists are down. The team may have just handed Atlanta its first loss of the year, but their overall record is still just 3-3.
They may get better with time, but they won't be good enough to beat the Lakers in Los Angeles by November 14.
The Lakers will be motivated coming off a loss to the Nuggets, and they'll be fresh after a few days of rest.
Winner: Lakers
Lakers Record: 9-1
November 16: Lakers at Bucks
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The Bucks have failed to live up to expectations early this season. The biggest thing they're missing: a backup point guard. Last year they had Luke Ridnour, and he was a big part of the team's success.
I think they should trade for Baron Davis, but that's another matter.
Jennings will have a big game against Derek Fisher and Steve Blake, but the Lakers' bigs will continue to dominate, even against Milwaukee's solid front line.
Winner: Lakers
Lakers Record: 10-1
November 17: Suns at Heat
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I don't really see this kind of a celebration coming at the end of this game. The Suns offense is good, but Miami's defense is better.
Phoenix's wing defenders will be seriously exploited by LeBron and Dwyane Wade, and I think Bosh will have one of his best games of the young season against Hedo Turkoglu and Hakim Warrick.
Winner: Heat
Heat Record: 8-3
November 17: Lakers at Pistons
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Yet another team that simply cannot match up with the Lakers. Outside of point guard, Los Angeles has a decisive advantage at every position.
Detroit needs to do whatever they can to blow this situation up and start from scratch. Obviously, that isn't going to happen prior to November 17.
Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom will dominate Detroit's big men and Kobe will have a "quiet" 20-25 points on Richard Hamilton and Ben Gordon.
Winner: Lakers
Lakers Record: 11-1
November 19: Bobcats at Heat
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The Bobcats need to make some changes. Me personally, I'd start with playing Shaun Livingston over D.J. Augustin. The 6'7", 6'8" backcourt of Livingston and Stephen Jackson would cause major matchup problems, but I digress.
The Bobcats in their current state cannot hang with the Heat, especially in Miami.
Winner: Heat
Heat Record: 9-3
November 19: Lakers at Timberwolves
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Will the Timberwolves play the Lakers a little closer on their home floor? Maybe...but then an improvement could mean losing by 10, as opposed to 20.
The Timberwolves may get close a few times over the course of this game, but in the end Kobe Bryant will be too much for the likes of Wayne Ellington and Corey Brewer. Plus, Darko versus Pau? Wow.
Winner: Lakers
Lakers Record: 12-1
November 20: Heat at Grizzlies
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Why on Earth is no one talking about Rudy Gay right now? He's averaging 27 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals per game. He's been a fantasy basketball gem, but his team is still losing.
However, I see the Grizzlies bringing it in this game. This could be the first prediction I make on this slide show that will draw an outcry from the readers, but I'm going to do it anyway.
Michael Conley and Marc Gasol are both much better than their Heat counterparts. Plus, I expect Zach Randolph to outperform Chris Bosh, and Gay and O.J. will have good enough games to nearly cancel out Wade and James.
Winner: Grizzlies
Heat Record: 9-4
November 21: Warriors at Lakers
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Expect a high-paced, entertaining shootout with this one, especially if Stephen Curry is at full strength. The Warriors have all kinds of firepower on offense, but they're still a major project on the other end of the floor.
Both teams will score a lot of points in this game, but ultimately the Lakers' depth and experience will get the best of this matchup.
Winner: Lakers
Lakers Record: 13-1
November 22: Pacers at Heat
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Indiana has a couple decent pieces to build around, but they'll need more than that to beat the Heat.
Miami will once again be upset about coming off a loss, and they'll take out their anger on the Pacers.
Danny Granger will have a decent game, but Miami will shut everyone else down.
Winner: Heat
Heat Record: 10-4
November 23: Bulls at Lakers
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The Bulls are a pretty exciting, young team, but they still have some glaring holes in their lineup. Shooting guard is the biggest problem for Chicago, and the power forward slot won't be great until Carlos Boozer returns from injury.
Derrick Rose will dominate Derek Fisher and Steve Blake, but the Lakers will win every other matchup. Plus, the game is in Los Angeles.
Winner: Lakers
Lakers Record: 14-1
November 24: Heat at Magic
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The Magic will be hungry for vengeance in this game. The Heat crushed them in Miami, as Orlando went 4-24 from three-point range and lost by 26 points.
This time around, Dwight Howard will absolutely dominate Miami's big men, and Orlando's shooters will hit 50-60 percent of their threes.
Wade and James will go off, but everyone else on the Heat will be stifled by the Howard-led defense.
Winner: Magic
Heat Record: 10-5
November 26: 76ers at Heat
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Philadelphia will become yet another victim of the post-loss Heat. The pride of LeBron, Wade and Bosh will not allow them to lose back-to-back games many times this season.
All three of Miami's superstars will go for over 20 points, and Philadelphia won't be close at any point during the game.
Winner: Heat
Heat Record: 11-5
November 26: Lakers at Jazz
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Utah will be starting to find their rhythm right around the time of this game. They have a lot of talent, and one of the best point guards in the league. Plus, they're always dangerous in Salt Lake.
Deron Williams will have a big game and Paul Millsap will out-hustle Lamar Odom all night. Al Jefferson will pitch in 15-20 points.
The game will come down to the wire.
Winner: Jazz
Lakers Record: 14-2
November 27: Heat at Mavericks
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This will be an away game, against a good team, on the second night of a back-to-back. That's an awful lot stacked up against one team.
Dirk Nowitzki will go off on Chris Bosh, and Jason Kidd will absolutely dominate Carlos Arroyo. James and Wade will play well, but Miami's lack of depth will hurt them against a Mavericks team with a strong bench.
Winner: Mavericks
Heat Record: 11-6
November 28: Pacers at Lakers
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The Lakers fairly favorable early schedule continues at home against the Indiana Pacers.
Granger and Collison will both play well, but the Pacers defense will get rocked by the Lakers.
Winner: Lakers
Lakers Record: 15-2
November 29: Wizards at Heat
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The Heat struggle with elite point guards. John Wall is really good, but he's not elite yet. He'll have a big game in terms of points and assists, but he'll also turn the ball over a lot against Miami's solid defense.
Washington will have all kinds of problems trying to defend Miami, as well.
Winner: Heat
Heat Record: 12-6
November 30: Lakers at Grizzlies
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This will be the second battle of the brothers Gasol this season. The first one resulted in a 21-point victory for the Lakers.
This game will be closer because it is in Memphis, but the outcome will remain the same. Pau will get the better of younger brother Marc, Ron Artest will slow down Rudy Gay and Kobe Bryant will dominate O.J. Mayo.
Winner: Lakers
Lakers Record: 16-2
December 1: Pistons at Heat
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Miami will open up the month of December against the hapless Pistons. This team is not going to get any better over the course of the season. On this night, they'll also be facing a Miami team that is just starting to gel.
Detroit will be the second victim in a streak that will get going right around this time of the season.
Winner: Heat
Heat Record: 13-6
December 1: Lakers at Rockets
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The Rockets have underachieved as much as anyone this year. The amount of talent on the roster suggests that their record should be much better than it is.
I think that they'll get it together eventually, but the Lakers will still hold them down.
Winner: Lakers
Lakers Record: 17-2
December 2: Heat at Cavaliers
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The hype surrounding this game will be absolutely surreal. The Quicken Loans Arena will have one of the most volatile crowds in the history of sports on the night of December 2 when LeBron James, formerly the king of Cleveland, returns to town as a member of the Miami Heat.
The Cavaliers will be running on emotion and could keep this game relatively close for three quarters. However, they'll run into an offensive buzzsaw in the form of LeBron and D-Wade in the fourth quarter and end up losing by 15-20 points.
Fans will boo relentlessly, and may even throw things on the floor when LeBron walks off the court in victory.
Winner: Heat
Heat Record: 14-6
December 3: Kings at Lakers
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The Kings have a lot of young talent, but they're a little out of control and very immature. Artest, Kobe and Odom will be in their heads pretty much from the start of the game.
The Lakers will run away with this one on their home floor.
Winner: Lakers
Lakers Record: 18-2
December 4: Hawks at Heat
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The Hawks got off to a great start this year, but for the last few seasons they've been great in the regular season and not-so-hot in the playoffs. This will be a big game within the division, and the Hawks may struggle to handle the pressure.
Each member of Miami's "big three" will play well, and the Heat defense will be stellar.
Winner: Heat
Heat Record: 15-6
December 6: Heat at Bucks
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The Heat will be rolling at this point in the season. Things will really be starting to click on offense, and the defense will continue to get better as well.
Bogut will have a big game against Miami's sub-par bigs, but Jennings will turn the ball over a lot and give the Heat opportunities to run.
Winner: Heat
Heat Record: 16-6
December 7: Wizards at Lakers
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The Gilbert Arenas situation will be nearing a boiling point right around this time. The Wizards will be doing everything they can to get someone to trade for him, but will have a difficult time finding any takers. The turmoil caused by Gilbert off the court will affect the team on it.
The Lakers will exploit the chaotic situation and tear the Wizards apart.
Winner: Lakers
Lakers Record: 19-2
December 8: Heat at Jazz
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The Heat will be looking for vengeance against Deron Williams and the Jazz. Utah is extremely hard to beat at home, but the Heat will be clicking at this point in the season.
Miami will play great team defense all night long, and LeBron will have a huge game against Raja Bell and Andrei Kirilenko.
Winner: Heat
Heat Record: 17-6
December 8: Lakers at Clippers
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This may be the an away game on the schedule, but Staples will be packed with Lakers fans on December 8th.
The Clippers have some promising young talent. Obviously, Blake Griffin has already shown that he could be a superstar in this league. However, their youth will also be their undoing in many games this year.
The Lakers will be getting close to full strength around this point, and the Clippers could be helpless to stop them.
Winner: Lakers
Lakers Record: 20-2
Lakers Get to 20 First, But Who Will Be the Last Ones Standing?
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The Heat will be spending a lot of this early part of the season getting used to playing with each other. Once they get things figured out, they'll be ridiculously hard to beat.
The Lakers already have their chemistry in order. They'll be strong for much of the season, but may start to slow things down toward the end of the year in preparation for the playoffs.
The Lakers will lock up the top seed in the Western Conference, but I think the Heat will end up with the most regular season victories. LeBron made that happen in each of the last two years with the Cavaliers, but it didn't lead to titles.
Will things be any different in Miami?
In my mind, the answer is no. The Lakers are still the best team in the NBA, and they play at another level during the playoffs. I'm taking the Lakers over the Heat, four games to three, in the 2011 NBA Finals.
