Miami Heat Cool Down L.A.: Winners and Losers Of Christmas Day Showdown
Not even the Miami Heat's season opener against the Boston Celtics was hyped as much as this game was. Coming into the season, the Heat and Los Angeles Lakers were believed to be destined for an NBA Finals clash of the titans that would feature five of the top twenty players in the league on the same court for a seven-game series.
Their Christmas game in the Staples Center was supposed to be a gauge to judge just how far the Heat have come as far as team chemistry is concerned, while the Lakers were just out to prove that they were still the team to beat in the NBA as defending back-to-back champions.
Last evening's Heat and Lakers Christmas Day match-up was hardly what anyone expected. While the Heat came out motivated on offense and defense, the Lakers just couldn't find a reason to get involved in the game. Their 14 points in the opening 12 minutes was the lowest they have scored all season in any first quarter. Miami would score 20 in the first quarter and led the rest of the way.
The lead would eventually hit double-digits in the third quarter and remain that way until the fourth quarter, when it topped out over 20 before the Heat put in their garbage time unit. Miami would eventually take the game 96-80 behind huge offensive games from James and Bosh and a huge defensive effort from Wade. The Heat's big three had significantly triumphed over the dynamic duo of Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, as they were held scoreless for the first quarter and continued to struggle the rest of the way.
Much like they did in Cleveland and New York, the Heat had once again silenced a raucous crowd before the game was over. It took a little while longer than usual, but considering they were facing the Kobe Bryant-led Lakers, anything was possible until the clock hit 0:00. However, the 20-point lead that the Lakers faced was far beyond any Christmas miracles they could conjure up.
As Kobe vents his frustration with his team, the Heat get used to being recognized as an elite team with their second win over a division leader (Utah being the other). At 9-8 only a few weeks ago, the Heat are now 23-9 with 13 wins in their past 14 games. They lead the Southeast Division by 3 1/2 games and are only two games out of the number-one spot in the Eastern Conference.
There need to be winners and losers to come out of yesterday's game, and unfortunately for Los Angeles, they came out on the wrong end of another Christmas.
So much for a panic button needed in Miami.
Winner: LeBron James
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After scoring 36 points against the Phoenix Suns two nights earlier, LeBron James decided to one-up himself one more time. Like he did in Cleveland and New York, James lived up to the hype and shined in the spotlight with his third triple-double of the year. James finished with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in the victory.
It's beginning to be tough for critics to get on LeBron for an inability to show up in big game situations because of just how well James has played in each instance. If the 38 points in 30 minutes against Cleveland or his triple-double against New York weren't impressive enough, then his well-balanced onslaught of the Lakers is worth noting just how far James and this team have come.
With Wade taking a step back on offense due to a knee injury, it was up to James and Chris Bosh to step up under the bright lights of the Staples Center and its star-studded crowd. LeBron barely had to work in the paint as his stroke from beyond the arc was on point for the entire night. He hit his first five from deep before missing his last attempt on a Heat check. The five three-pointers was his high for the season as Ron Artest, Matt Barnes, or Kobe Bryant could not find an answer.
James continues to prove his critics wrong night after night with astounding performances like these. The fact that LeBron can go into the most hostile of environments and produce even more than he does on an average night is a cause for concern for teams who will likely see James in the postseason. LeBron is developing the right chemistry with Miami, continually learning to share the ball with Dwyane Wade and the point guards.
His performance against Los Angeles was the piece de resistance of December as he embarks on finishing the month with only one two-point loss and two upcoming games with New York and Houston interfering with an undefeated record over the past 31 days. LeBron's Los Angeles performance speaks volumes of just how far he has come with his new team as he continues to improve and excel under the spotlight.
Loser: Laker Bigs
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Pau Gasol might have netted 17 points on 8 of 17 shooting and Lamar Odom might have had 14 points on 6 of 12 shooting, but this game goes a lot further than stats. It was believed that the big men of the Lakers were supposed to have a clear and definite advantage over the Heat's limited amount of capable big men. With Chris Bosh as the only scorer, the Lakers came into the game with a large advantage over an undersized Heat club.
Instead, they were outrebounded, outdefended, and outplayed in just about every aspect of the game. Gasol nor Odom nor Andrew Bynum had any answer for Chris Bosh or Zydrunas Ilgauskas as they controlled the paint and the mid-range game. Big Z and his mid-range shot were on point for the second half, but it was Bosh and his newfound ability to drive rather than settling for another 15-20 foot shot that killed the Lakers.
Pau might have heated up in the second half after an abysmal first half and Odom might have done all he can with his versatility, but they were basically non-threats for nearly the entire game as Bosh, Ilgauskas, Joel Anthony, Erick Dampier, and Juwan Howard all took turns of guarding the three big men of Los Angeles. It became a problem for the Lakers to have Gasol as their center as he couldn't get a clear shot off against the 7'3" Ilgauskas.
Andrew Bynum and his six points and five rebounds were impressive for only 17 minutes off the bench, but he still has a long way to go before he can become the starter again. The injury that kept him out for the first two months of the regular season still appeared to limit him as he came up short on a few misses. It's obvious that the Lakers are going to need Bynum come playoff time as their starting center rather than Gasol.
The bigs were supposed to prove just why Los Angeles was the better team and they ultimately failed at it by giving Bosh a huge game on offense and defense, while allowing Ilgauskas and Dampier to look like defensive superstars as well. The combined 31 points and 17 rebounds of Gasol and Odom was no match for Bosh and the big men of the Heat.
Winner: Chris Bosh
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Of all the All-Star worthy big men on the floor, it was Chris Bosh who looked like the better power forward between himself, Gasol, and Odom. Bosh's quiet 24 points, 11 of 17 shooting, and 13 rebounds were exactly what the Heat needed to pull out a win at the Staples Center. While LeBron was taking over from deep, Bosh became the one who was attacking the paint with finesse and actual power moves. His dunk on Matt Barnes was easily his best in a Heat uniform.
This is the same Chris Bosh who was already being shunned by just about every NBA fan last month. Whether it was being recognized as a soft player or not adjusting to his role as the third wheel, Bosh became public enemy number one in the eyes of critics as they partially blamed him for the Heat's slow start.
Now averaging a little under 19 points and eight rebounds per game, Bosh has become one of the most beneficial pieces to this Heat team. The injury to Udonis Haslem has opened the door for Bosh to solidify himself as the team's leading rebounder, while also proving to coach Erik Spoelstra that the two cannot co-exist because he is not a capable enough center. Chris thriving at power forward is all a Heat fan can ask for right now.
His huge game against the likes of Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom was a performance worth recognition as he easily established himself as the second best player in Los Angeles yesterday. After weeks of trade rumors, Bosh has become one of the most valuable pieces to Miami as his offensive and defensive game begin to come together. The fact that he is considered a third wheel is not a concern as he is the first option when it comes to finding an open mid-range shooter with finesse while driving.
Bosh's 24 and 13 might have represented his best performance of the early regular season. The 35 points against Phoenix and the 17 rebounds he had against Sacramento pale in comparison to just how well Chris played yesterday against some of the better defenders of the league. His game against Los Angeles was just another stepping stone for Chris as he becomes a valuable part to this Heat team.
Loser: Kobe Bryant
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Maybe the Lakers are the team that needs a players-only meeting. It certainly worked out for Miami and by the way Kobe Bryant is speaking of the team, it wouldn't come as a surprise if it did actually happen. Bryant came out after the game and reportedly said that the team has been playing like excrement.
Kobe has always played the Heat well as he hit one of his best game winners last season in Staples Center, while dropping 40 back in Miami in an overtime loss. His 6 of 16 shooting on his way to a mere 17 points was as disappointing as it gets for Kobe who was hounded by Dwyane Wade the entire night. Coach Spoelstra made it an issue to not allow Bryant to get into a rhythm by throwing double-teams at him as far as 30 feet from the basket.
Just when it appeared that Kobe could get into an offensive rhythm after making two consecutive deep shots, the Heat made some adjustments to limit Bryant for the rest of the game. Even when Kobe was able to get around Dwyane and into the lane, he would become surrounded by two or three red shirts who would use their physicality to frustrate Bryant all night.
The technical foul in the second quarter foreshadowed what was to come for Kobe and his Lakers as they could never work themselves back into the game to make the deficit somewhat less daunting and manageable. Even with a flurry of third quarter baskets that cut the lead to 11, Kobe could never lead the team out of the dark and back into the light. His leadership just wasn't there last night as his frustration and anger grew.
The 19-point home loss to Milwaukee the team suffered a few days earlier wasn't helping Kobe's mentality either as the defending champions fell to 21-9, with a 2-4 record against teams with .500 records or better. Even though we usually see Bryant at his best in the postseason, it should still be a cause for concern for the Lakers of just how limited Kobe was against a tough Heat defense.
Considering this might be an NBA Finals match-up a few months from now, Bryant will need all the ambition and tenacity he can get to maintain his composure and will his Lakers to the team that they were supposed to be in the regular season.
Winner: Dwyane Wade's Defense
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The picture represents just how suffocating Dwyane Wade's defense on Kobe Bryant was all night.
Even though he could only score 18 points on a less than impressive 6 of 17 shooting, it was Wade's defense that propelled the Heat to victory. By limiting Bryant to 6 of 16 from the field, Wade had just about nearly eliminated the Lakers' best player and biggest offensive threat. Dwyane's offense was unneeded as Chris and LeBron handled the scoring, it was his defense that was the most beneficial part of the Heat's win.
Despite sitting out two nights prior and still claiming his knee was sore, Wade appeared to be playing like he was 25 again. Dwyane's individual defense on Kobe was some of the more impressive defense seen in the NBA this season as he suffocated him on jump shots, closed off the paint for most of the game, and forced Bryant into four turnovers.
It came as quite the surprise to just how impressive Wade's individual defense on Bryant was. Considering Dwyane has been criticized many times this season for shadowing defenders rather than actually covering them and for also taking too many risks by trying to make highlight plays, his defense on Bryant was a clear representation of just how well he could play defense if he was committed and played smart against every opposing shooting guard he went against.
Like James and Bosh, Dwyane lived up to expectations and defied the odds of being possibly overrun by the skills and tenacity of Kobe. It could have been a complete massacre if Bryant was met with little resistance and if Wade cited the injury as an excuse, but Dwyane wanted no part of that as he proved that he is still a capable All-Star worthy defender.
With two nights off, Wade now gets time to rehab his knee back into quality playing conditions. Luckily for him, he only has to guard Kobe one more time this season.
Loser: The Staples Center Crowd
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Considering scalpers were asking for as much as $15,000 for tickets, you would expect at least a somewhat competitive game between two powerhouses.
48 minutes and a 16-point loss later, the Lakers had let their home crowd down with another dismal outing. It was only on Tuesday that the Lakers had lost to the 10-16 Milwaukee Bucks by a score of 98-79. It also featured Kobe Bryant being thrown out late in the game for complaining too much to the officials. Kobe wasn't thrown out of yesterday's game against Miami, but he was whistled for complaining again as he clapped at an official after what he believed was a missed call.
This was one of the most anticipated games of the season for the NBA, Miami, and Los Angeles. The Lakers were out to prove that they were still the team to beat, even with the big three assembling in Miami that was brought together to topple Los Angeles' reign over the league. The December 25th game was going to be a significant way for L.A. to prove that they were still the NBA's best.
As long as they keep coming out flat like they did against Miami, the Finals are nowhere near in their future, especially with as well as Dallas and San Antonio have played of late. The fans that went out on Christmas to see the Lakers play were collectively disappointed of just how terribly their team have played in the past two games. A two-game losing streak is not worth noting, but the implications make this loss extremely disappointing.
Los Angeles appeared to be uninspired and unmotivated by coming out flat in nearly every quarter and not making one significant run in the second half. A Pau Gasol alley-oop that cut the lead to 11 late in the third quarter was as close as the Lakers would get to the Heat's lead as Miami had control over nearly all 48 minutes.
The viewers, outside of Miami, didn't deserve that and neither did the Staples Center crowd.
Winner: The Miami Heat's Identity
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This team is no different than the one who lost by double-digits at home to the Indiana Pacers. It's the same team who gave up a buzzer-beating game winner to Rudy Gay and the Memphis Grizzlies. It's the same roster that gave up an onslaught of late points to Paul Millsap and the Utah Jazz.
Same team, different identity and philosophy.
The Miami Heat team you witnessed yesterday and the Miami Heat team you were watching in November might be the same on paper, but they are two completely different teams. This new-look Heat has a philosophy that involves hard-nosed physical defense, leaving the shooting to the shooters, and driving at any given moment. It's the reason why the Heat stand at 23-9 after winning 13 of their past 14 games.
Following their players-only meeting after a disappointing loss to Dallas, the Heat have only lost one game since then, also to the Mavericks. Miami's less than stellar free throw shooting and poor box-outs was key to their loss, but it's simple mistakes that could be improved that are the only aspects holding this team back. LeBron, Dwyane, and Chris continue to co-exist in a faster-paced offense as coach Spoelstra's reward system proves to be one of the smarter moves of his tenure with the team.
No longer are people calling for the firing of Spoelstra or the trading of Bosh. Instead they are being celebrated with hopes of a Coach of the Year award for Spoelstra and having Bosh as a possible third Heat starter on the All-Star team. Night in and night out, the Heat continue to prove their critics wrong with impressive performances that continue to top each other.
Their win over the Lakers was the defining moment of the season for Miami as they attempt to prove to the NBA that they are capable of beating elite teams. The Heat are beginning to be recognized as an elite team themselves as they take a commanding lead in the division, while attempting to make a push at the number one seed in the conference.
The Miami Heat are playing at a different level from nearly every other team in the NBA right now and there isn't much now that could stop it.
Loser: Phil Jackson
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It's hard to argue against Phil Jackson, but he was without a doubt the second-best coach at the Staples Center yesterday.
Phil is recognized as the most successful coach in the league today with the rings and legacy to prove it, but the Lakers last night were in a state of shock of not being able to find any answer to what the Heat brought. It came as a surprise because usually the Lakers could look to their coach to find some way to will out a win.
It never came and Los Angeles looked like a team that was run ragged. Aside from the first possession of the game, Miami controlled the tempo with their speed and pace. Coach Spoelstra was the one who had the answers as his Heat team put a stop to every Laker run and extended the lead every chance they had.
Coach Jackson instead had to deal with seeing his star players being greatly limited, while seeing frustration and anger get the best of his perennial All-Star and former MVPKobe Bryant. With Bryant openly coming out and speaking out against the team, it's clear that Jackson is going to need to corral and control this team before it can fly into a tailspin.
A two-game losing streak should be nothing worth concern, but it's how they have lost the two games that is the problem. A 19-point loss to Milwaukee at home could be recognized as a freak loss, but their flat performance against Miami was a clear representation of the coaching staff and their inability to get the team motivated for a big regular season game. Even if it is considered one of 82, the Lakers needed to come out and prove a point to the NBA that they are still the team to beat.
Instead we saw a Lakers team that only got to 80 points thanks to some garbage time points. A team that struggled for 48 minutes just to get the ball in the basket and a team that had no answer for LeBron James or Chris Bosh. No one is saying that the Lakers are in any sort of turmoil, but we'll say that there certainly are some chinks in the armor that we haven't seen before.
