Miami Heat Preview: Predicting Wins/Losses for Every Game In January
The criticism is beginning to run its course. Mostly because there isn't that much left to critique about the Miami Heat. It's extremely difficult to bet against a team that's won 13 of 14 games and has a few road trips mixed in to the recent streak of success for good measure. Their road wins against the Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz only add emphasis to just how well the Heat have played of late.
If all goes according to plan with the last two games of December, a home game against New York and a trip to Houston the night after, then the Heat should finish this month with an astounding record of 16-1. The one loss coming at home against the Dallas Mavericks where the Heat blew a lead late and ended up losing by two points.
Over this December, the Heat have grown as a team. No longer do they look like five individuals, but now as a team that attacks, intimidates and impresses night after night. At 23-9, the Heat hold a three game lead in the Southeast Division and are only two games out of first place in the Eastern Conference. Only 30 games into the season and a new look Heat team whose main core just began to play with each other three months ago is looking like a dynasty in the making.
Since the 9-8 start, the Heat have appeared to look like a completely different team. More and more each night do we see each member of the big three making it more of an issue to drive or to find open teammates with strategic ball movement. LeBron and Dwyane are beginning to find their niches as they learn to play without the ball in their hands and sacrificing stats just to win.
Chris Bosh's improvement is worthy of recognition as well. Since his slow start, Bosh has been one of the most consistent members of the Heat and is now averaging 18 points and a team leading eight rebounds per game. He has become a terrific security blanket for the Heat as teams who focus their attention on Wade or James don't look towards Bosh who always finds himself open for easy scores in the mid-range game.
The outcome of Heat games are beginning to be easier to predict because of just how well the Heat have played and how much they have won over the past month. January will feature a few games that will test the Heat as they face off against a week long road trip and a series of four back-to-back matchups. With the way Miami has played though, it'll be tough to imagine the Heat losing too many games.
January 1st-Vs Golden State Warriors
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Previous Matchup
December 10th-Miami 106, Golden State 84.
The Heat open up the new year on New Year's Day with a home game against Monta Ellis and the streaking Golden State Warriors. Their previous matchup in Oakland was closer than the score indicated for most of the way as the Heat only took a 48-45 lead into the half before using a 36-20 third quarter to break the game open en route to a 22 point win.
Unlike last time, the Warriors will be with Stephen Curry this time around. Curry recently had to sit out six games due to an aggravated ankle injury that could still affect his performance in the upcoming game against Miami. Monta Ellis had to pick up the slack the last time the Heat and Warriors met up as he ran the point and finished with a modest 20 points on eight of 18 shooting.
The big three combined for 75 points in the win, with Dwyane Wade leading the way at 34 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. It was LeBron's third quarter performance that broke the game open as he hit three shots from deep in the 12 minute frame. James had a comfortable 25 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds. Bosh wasn't needed too much and he finished with 16 points and seven rebounds.
Even with Curry back on the floor, the Warriors don't stand a chance at the American Airlines Arena. The Heat have the possibility of bringing back a four game win streak on their return home and it'll be a shocker to believe the Warriors on the road will put an end to it. In fact, this game won't be too much of a game going into the second half as the Heat look to establish their presence and tempo earlier this time around.
Prediction
Miami 115, Golden State 94.
January 3rd-at Charlotte Bobcats
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Previous Matchup
November 19th-Miami 95, Charlotte 87
The Heat have changed plenty since the last time these two teams met up. Following this game, the Heat would go on a three game losing streak against teams that the Heat should beat up on a regular basis. They were extremely lucky in their game against Charlotte as it was only a few lucky bounces away from possibly making the streak four games rather than three.
Miami had controlled the tempo all game and built a 56-37 lead going into the half. It only took one quarter for the Bobcats to find themselves back into it as they took advantage of a slow start by the Heat, cutting the deficit to five going into the fourth quarter and even taking the lead late in the game. It was only a week before that the Heat had blown a 22 point lead against Utah that was bringing back hurtful memories.
Luckily for Miami, there was no Paul Millsap around. LeBron James and Chris Bosh scored the team's last 11 points to give the Heat a sure victory. James and Bosh brought the Heat a victory with LeBron's 32 points and five assists and Chris's 22 points and 14 rebounds leading the way. Dwyane Wade struggled on both ends as he only scored 11 points, while giving up 30 to Stephen Jackson.
Even with Charlotte in the middle of a coaching change, the Bobcats will still give the Heat a run for their money as they always do. Charlotte has always played Miami well and with the game in their house, it wouldn't be too much of a surprise if the 'Cats can hang around for a little while. Miami will break the game open, but Charlotte's stubborn zone defense will give the Heat trouble for most of the way.
Prediction
Miami 94, Charlotte 82
January 4th-Vs Milwaukee Bucks
3 of 14
Previous Matchup
December 6th-Miami 88, Milwaukee 78
The previous matchup between these two teams is most remembered for this and this. The rest of the game was a sleeper as neither team got into too much of an offensive rhythm. It became a little interesting after the Heat's double digit lead was cut to three late in the game, but Miami would use a 14-7 run to end it. At the time, this win gave the Heat their fifth consecutive win, their longest of the season.
The big three would only combine for 58 points, but it was Carlos Arroyo who greatly helped out the team this time around. Arroyo did not miss one shot as he hit six for six from the field, two for two from beyond the arc, and was perfect from the free throw line on his way to a season high 18 points. Dwyane would lead all scorers with 25 points, while LeBron had 17 and Bosh had 16.
Milwaukee's offense was so awful that it became hard to watch. They shot a dismal 35 percent from the field and 27 percent from deep as the entire starting lineup struggled to score. Their big three in Brandon Jennings, John Salmons and Andrew Bogut combined to shoot 11 of 39 from the field for only 31 points. Corey Maggette led the way with 20 points off the bench.
Miami might have struggled last season and earlier this season with Milwaukee, but with the worst scoring offense in the league, the Heat should win this game back home on the second night of a back-to-back. Miami could struggle early considering they're facing two extremely defensive minded teams on two consecutive nights, but even with an ugly game in store, it'll be an ugly win.
Prediction
Miami 93, Milwaukee 80
January 7th-at Milwaukee Bucks
4 of 14
Previous Matchups
December 6th-Miami 88, Milwaukee 78
January 4th-TBD
No, it's not a duplicate slide, it's the Heat actually playing Milwaukee for the second time in a week. Miami gets two days to rest off of their game on January 4th before they head up to Milwaukee for the second time this season. It will already be the two teams' third matchup of the season and it will be their last until their final meeting on April 6th.
It will be interesting to see how well the Heat play a team that they played only three nights prior. Each team will have a better feel for each other and the losing team from the game a few nights prior will be the more motivated team. Especially if the Bucks turn out to be that losing team on January 4th, there is no doubt that the Milwaukee crowd will be out in full force for their team to actually get a win and not fall to 0-3 in the season series.
Then again, it is the Heat and losing hasn't been too much a part of their nature lately. This has every possibility of being a trap game and a Heat loss could be on the horizon if they take Milwaukee lightly if they win on the 4th. The Bucks tough defense could get the best of Miami, but with the Heat riding a win streak, they should be able to pull this one out.
This is also the start of a five game road trip for Miami.
Prediction
Miami 86, Milwaukee 79
January 9th-at Portland Trail Blazers
5 of 14
Previous Matchups
None
The second leg of the road trip brings the Miami Heat to Portland for the first time this season as they take on the less than spectacular Trail Blazers. At 16-15 at the moment, the Blazers have not exceeded the expectations they were receiving prior to the start of the season. In the tough Northwest Division, the Blazers find themselves bordering on a playoff spot with Houston, Memphis, and Phoenix all expected to make a push.
Coming into the season, Brandon Roy was expected to be the savior of the team. He had just averaged 22 points, five assists, and four rebounds the season before and was being regarded as one of the top shooting guards of the league. However, an injury has set him back this season and he is now a shell of his former self. At 17 points per game on 40 percent shooting, Roy has yet to propel this Blazers team to the upper tier of the Western Conference.
The Heat went 4-0 on their previous road trip in December, but face a tougher test this time around against stiffer competition. The Blazers will be a test to the Heat at the Rose Garden where Portland boasts one of the rowdiest fan bases in the NBA. However, if there's one thing the Heat know how to do, it's how to silence a raucous crowd. They did it in Cleveland, New York and Los Angeles with Portland set to be no different.
Unless Roy snaps out of this slump, the Blazers don't stand a chance with LaMarcus Aldridge, Wesley Matthews and Andre Miller leading the way.
Prediction
Miami 105, Portland 93
January 12th-at Los Angeles Clippers
6 of 14
Previous Matchups
None
Miami and the Los Angeles Clippers might be going in different directions, but this might be one of the most exciting games of the season. With Dwyane Wade and LeBron James set to light it up against a less than stellar Clippers squad, Blake Griffin will no doubt provide some highlights of his own. These three players have just about taken over every top 10 from NBA.com to ESPN.
As far as a game goes, it's going to be a run away for the Heat. The Clippers are a high octane team with Baron Davis, Eric Gordon and DeAndre Jordan running alongside Griffin, but they are too immature and undisciplined of a team to be in the same league as the Heat. Not to mention, their best answer for LeBron James on defense is Ryan Gomes who hasn't always been recognized as a defensive stopper.
With the Heat owning matchups at just about every position, it'll be a fun game to watch for Heat fans as they get their first look at Griffin. Blake has been absolutely tearing it up for the Clippers with 21 points and 12 rebounds per game in his first season in the league since recovering from a preseason injury that kept him out all of last year. It could come as a problem for the Heat if Griffin can use his power to create an advantage over Chris Bosh.
Even if he does, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James will have a show of their own against a Clippers defense that allows over 100 points per game. This game will be a blow out, but it'll be a blow out that will actually be worth watching.
Prediction
Miami 115, L.A. Clippers 92
January 13th-at Denver Nuggets
7 of 14
Previous Matchups
None
With the Heat riding a ten game win streak, the Denver Nuggets of all teams might be the one to put an end to it. It will be the second night of a back-to-back with little time for the Heat to rest as they make a red eye from Los Angeles to Denver overnight. It will be a good test to see just how well the Heat react to being fatigued while playing against a quality Western Conference foe.
Heat fans have seen Miami fatigued when they played the Washington Wizards on the second night of a back-to-back following a huge win against the New York Knicks. Even against an awful Wizards club that was playing without John Wall, the Heat needed a few lucky breaks and a few free throws just to eek out a one point win in Washington.
Considering this will be the fourth game of the road trip and on the night after a game against Los Angeles, it will be completely expected if the Heat do end up losing this game. The Nuggets have a pure scorer in Carmelo Anthony, veteran leadership in Chauncey Billups and a few tough defenders in Arron Afflalo, Chris Andersen and Nene.
The Nuggets will no doubt make the Heat work and the team might just be too fatigued from their game the previous night, the road trip and the caliber teams that they are facing to will out a win this time. Denver has too many weapons and the Heat will not be up to 100 percent to be ready for what the Nuggets will bring as they take advantage of a tired Heat team.
Prediction
Denver 103, Miami 94
January 15th-at Chicago Bulls
8 of 14
Previous Matchups
None
The last game of the road trip ends with the Heat's toughest game of January as they face the new look Chicago Bulls. Miami gets a day off before making the trek from Denver to Chicago to take on the Central Division leading, Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer led Bulls. Each team will not be a full strength as the Heat continue to deal with Udonis Haslem's injury and the Bulls now living with the injury to Joakim Noah.
Following the arrival of Carlos Boozer, among others, the Bulls began to be recognized as another addition to the short list of Eastern Conference contenders. While the Heat can boast having two of the best players in the world and a premier power forward, the Bulls can boast having the possible leading MVP candidate in Rose.
Even though the Bulls have had to deal with injuries to Boozer and Noah, they still find themselves at the top of their division and at a quality 19-10 despite losing some of their best players. Derrick Rose is all the reason why they are still a contender because of the MVP type of season he has had thus far. At 24 points, eight assists, and five rebounds per game, Rose has just as much a chance to lead the Bulls to a win as much as James or Wade could.
The problem for the Bulls is that they don't have all the answers to stopping James or Wade. Even though Rose has a clear advantage over the Heat's point guards and Boozer playing out of his mind as of late, the Heat's big three will be too much for Chicago to handle. Not to mention, this won't be the first game where Miami faces a tough test on the road.
Expect a highly competitive game, but expect the Heat to take over some time in the third quarter before they run away with it and silence the United Center crowd.
Prediction
Miami 102, Chicago 91
January 18th-Vs Atlanta Hawks
9 of 14
Previous Matchups
December 4th-Miami 89, Atlanta 77
This time around, the Atlanta Hawks will have Joe Johnson back in the rotation, but it still doesn't exactly assure the Hawks a victory or anything of the sort. The Heat and Hawks have building a rivalry since they met up in the postseason two years ago where Atlanta took the first round series 4-3 in one of the worst series in NBA history.
The Heat were riding momentum from Cleveland coming into their game against Atlanta and they made their presence felt early building a double digit first quarter lead. The lead would get to 14 by the half, but the Hawks would make a push in the third quarter to trim the lead two going into the fourth quarter. Through solid offense and defense, the Heat would use a 26-16 fourth quarter to end any hopes of an Atlanta comeback and the game.
The big through would combine for 75 of the Heat's 89 points with Chris Bosh leading the way with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Dwyane Wade would chip in 26 points and 10 rebounds, while LeBron James had a modest 22 points. No Hawk was able to find an offensive rhythm aside from Al Horford who had a career game netting 22 points on 10 of 11 shooting. Joe Johnson's replacement in Mo Evans hit only four points on one of six shooting.
Having Johnson back will be an advantage for the Hawks, but with the way the Heat have played defense and being back on their home floor after nearly two weeks is sure to give Miami a win in their return to Miami.
Prediction
Miami 98, Atlanta 85
January 22nd-Vs Toronto Raptors
10 of 14
Previous Matchups
November 13th-Miami 109, Toronto 100
Leading up the Heat's second matchup with the Toronto Raptors, they get a much needed three day rest during a week where they only play two games in seven days. It's all they could ask for following three consecutive games against playoff caliber teams and a week and a half long road trip that was complete with a back-to-back.
Unfortunately, they won't be gearing up for any team worthy of competition as they take on a reeling Raptors squad at home again. Surprisingly in the two teams' last meeting, the Heat needed some late game heroics to end a Toronto rally that cut into what was a 13 point halftime lead. Dwyane led the way with an impressive 31 points on 11 of 16 shooting, James had 23 points and 11 assists and Bosh had only 12 points on eight shots.
This was also the first game where Zydrunas Ilgauskas was featured as the starting center. He scored 12 points against Raptors center Andrea Bargnani who needed 23 shots to only score 22 points. The Raptors had four starters in double figures, but they could never recover in the second half after allowing the Heat to rack up 65 in the first half alone.
The Raptors were lucky to even call the last game an actual game. It would be an absolute shocker if Toronto only loses this game by less than double digits. As long as Miami can corral Bargnani and his shooting, they should have no problem winning this game by a substantial margin.
Prediction
Miami 117, Toronto 89
January 27th-at New York Knicks
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Previous Matchups
December 17th-Miami 113, New York 93
December 28th-Miami 106, New York 98
For the sake of the NBA, the Miami Heat get to face the new look New York Knicks for the third time in a little over a month. Whether it was the schedule makers trying to help out NBA ratings, the league is certainly getting its fill of attempting to revive the Heat and Knicks rivalry as soon as possible. The only problem for the NBA is that the Heat keep handling the Knicks with ease.
The Heat's big three have all had their success against New York with LeBron notching a triple-double in the two teams' first meeting and Dwyane dropping a season high 40 points in the second. Bosh had quality games in both outings tallying up a combined 44 points and 17 rebounds. They were all heralded for their games, but in reality it was Joel Anthony who deserves as much recognition as any member of the team.
Anthony is now recognized in the Heat community as the "Amar'e stopper". When Stoudemire was riding a streak of 30 point games into the teams' first meeting, coach Erik Spoelstra made one of the smartest moves of his career by putting in Anthony to defend "Stat" rather than Ilgauskas or Erick Dampier. Joel forced Stoudemire to miss 17 shots and had Amare frustrated in the second game as he missed 13 shots and earned a technical foul in the process.
The Heat will face another raucous Madison Square Garden crowd, but if they were smart they'd lay off the boos and jeers because it only seems that LeBron feeds off of it. Under the spotlights, not many players perform much better than James and it will be no different in their game on January 27th.
Prediction
Miami 110, New York 97
January 28th-Vs Detroit Pistons
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Previous Matchups
December 1st-Miami 97, Detroit 72
It has trap game written all over it. Just like how the schedule makers placed a road game against Washington the night after Miami had to take on New York earlier in December, they do it again with the second night being in Miami to take on the struggling Pistons. Detroit has become an afterthought this season with the only talk to come out of the city in the form of trade rumors and player frustration.
The Heat and Pistons' only meeting of the season was a sight for sore eyes as not one player scored over 20 points and each team hit under 62 percent from the free throw line. Luckily for the Heat, they were by far the more talented team as they used a big first and third quarter to dominate the Pistons at every aspect of the game.
The big three would only combine for 50 points, but they didn't even need that much against a Detroit squad that had only two starters in double figures. Neither of those two players were starters either as rookie Greg Monroe finished with 15 points and Charlie Villanueva netted 10 points. As a whole, the team shot 37 percent and the starting lineup combined for 31 points with Richard Hamilton leading the way with nine.
It might come as more of a problem this time around for Miami considering they'll be taking the red eye back home from New York to Miami overnight. They might come in tired, but in a week where they only play two games they should win this game on sheer athleticism against a cellar dweller of the Eastern Conference.
Prediction
Miami 93, Detroit 79
January 30th-at Oklahoma City Thunder
13 of 14
Previous match-ups
None
Surprising enough, this is the Miami Heat's next nationally televised game since their Christmas game against the Los Angeles Lakers. It is also recognized as the Heat's biggest test in January as they take on reigning scoring champion Kevin Durant and the athletic Oklahoma City Thunder. Durant is currently leading the league in scoring at 28 points per game as he helps the Thunder break out of their slow start and becoming division champion contenders.
It will be the first look of the regular season to see the Miami Heat play the Thunder, but it will actually be their second meeting as they also played in the preseason. Miami won 103-96 with Chris Bosh leading the way at 23 and LeBron dropping 22 in a game where Dwyane was resting his hamstring after he strained it in the preseason opener.
Durant struggled to score 21 points on five of 13 shooting with Russell Westbrook pouring in an impressive 18 points and dishing out six assists. The Thunder also had James Harden with 14 and Eric Maynor with 13. They remained in the game for most of the way, but lost control in the third quarter as they lost the third quarter 32-19.
We're not going to compare the preseason to the regular season, but the Heat could add their first win over the Thunder in the regular season. The Heat have been living up to the hype on the national stage as of late and should be more than ready for the raucous Thunder crowd and the hype leading into the game. Oklahoma City can claim its scorers and its athleticism, but it can only get you so far against a team with threats at just about every aspect.
Prediction
Miami 104, Oklahoma City 99
January 31st-Vs Cleveland Cavaliers
14 of 14
Previous match-ups
December 2nd-Miami 118, Cleveland 90
December 15th-Miami 101, Cleveland 95
The last game of January of course comes on the second night of the Heat's fourth back-to-back of the month. Following their biggest game of the month in Oklahoma City, the Heat get to cool off with at home against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Luckily for the Heat, they'll be home in Miami by the end of the day that they played the Thunder on thanks to its time at 1 pm.
With a night back in Miami, the Heat get an actual chance to rest and have more time to get ready for the Cavs. LeBron and his former team haven't had too strenuous of battles, but he has put on some what of a show in both outings. In his return back to Cleveland for the first time, James scored 38 points in only three quarters worth of action. The second outing wasn't as memorable as he struggled on five of 15 shooting to get 21 points and 13 rebounds.
Not too many Cavs have had success in the two games so far aside from Daniel Gibson who scored 21 points in the first game and 26 in the second. He scored seven less points than the starting lineup in the first game as the entire team struggled to get into any sort of offensive rhythm. It was too much LeBron in the first meeting and too much Dwyane in the second, who scored 28 points and led the Heat in a decisive fourth quarter.
With Miami getting some rest and possibly riding momentum, the Heat shouldn't have too much of a problem with the Cavs back home. Cleveland can hold as much as a grudge as it wants against LeBron, but this rivalry will never get off the ground if the Heat continue to win in blowout fashion.
This game being no different.
Prediction
Miami 108, Cleveland 91
