Miami Heat Preview: Predicting Wins and Losses for Every Game in February
The month of January didn't turn out exactly how the Miami Heat planned. Following a 15-1 December where the Heat beat the Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz, and the New York Knicks twice, Miami has experienced a large drop off as far as winning goes in the new year thus far. The team currently stands at 6-5 with a few more days remaining in the month with games against Detroit, Oklahoma City, and Cleveland remaining. The team got five of those six wins in the first week of the month before losing five of their next six games.
The Heat had the benefit of not playing any elite teams as they saw their biggest competition against Chicago and Oklahoma City, but they also had to deal with a five game road trip mid-way through the month with stops in Milwaukee, Portland, Los Angeles, Denver, and Chicago. They won the first two games and then saw three losses with injuries playing a factor in each game. LeBron James hurt his ankle late in the Clippers game, he sat out in the Denver and Chicago games, and Chris Bosh as well injuring himself in the third quarter during their loss to Chicago.
Even Dwyane Wade had migraine issues that forced him to wear protective glasses for the first time in his career in their game against New York.
The month of February does not contain any difficult stretches with only four out of their 12 opponents currently have records over .500. They have a few stretches of playing the lower tier teams of the league with a few rivalry games in the mix. Not only do the Heat take on Chicago and Orlando, but they also get their third and final chance of the regular season to defeat the Boston Celtics. The Heat have taken a turn for the better since their last meeting in early November when the Celtics ran the Heat out of their own building.
Only five of the games are at the American Airlines Arena with a four game road trip early in February that keeps the Heat east of the Mississippi, The road trip however does feature a stretch of three games in four days with the team flying from Indianapolis to Toronto overnight. Miami did not fare too well on their last road trip as they finished 2-3, but they will likely have the big three back together at full strength by the time the road trip starts.
February will hopefully be a bounce back month for the Heat as they attempt to salvage what's left of January. They'll need as many wins as they can rack up before they begin March where they face San Antonio, Los Angeles, Portland, Chicago, and Orlando in the span of a week to the start off the month.
February 3rd-at Orlando Magic
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Previous Matchup's
October 29th-Miami 96, Orlando 70
November 24th-Orlando 104, Miami 95
With two completely different games played against each other already, the Southeast and in-state rivalry of Miami and Orlando still might not find a way to gauge their match-up with the possibility of the Heat's Chris Bosh most likely sitting out until either later in the week or early on in the week after. Perhaps it'll allow stronger defense at the power forward spot with Joel Anthony most likely to defend Brandon Bass, but it leaves a huge hole open as far as scoring and production goes for the Heat offense.
The first meeting between the two teams was a sight to behold for Heat fans as they saw their new look team in their home opener blow out one of the elite teams in the league by 26 points. No Magic player scored over 20 points as the team combined to shoot 4 of 24 from beyond the arc due to some impressive constricting perimeter defense by the Heat. The second meeting in Orlando wasn't too competitive either, aside from a fourth quarter Heat run, as Orlando held a lead for most of the game with Dwight Howard leading the way at 24 points and 18 rebounds. Dwyane Wade struggled hitting only 6 of his 21 shots, but LeBron James and Chris Bosh managed to keep the game within reason by combining for 46 points.
It's a difficult game for the Heat considering the circumstances their under with the depletion at the power forward spot. Wade and James should hold their own and they could pull off a win if Mario Chalmers, Mike Miller, and Eddie House can continue to hit from deep, but it'll be a tough feat against the new look Orlando Magic.
Prediction
Orlando 104, Miami 99
February 4th-at Charlotte Bobcats
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Previous Matchup's
November 19th-Miami 95, Charlotte 87
January 3rd-Miami 96, Charlotte 82
The Heat don't get too much to recover from their date against the Orlando Magic as they travel to North Carolina to take on the Charlotte Bobcats the night after. It'll be Miami's second visit to Charlotte this year as they recently took on the 'Cats only a month before. That game was most remembered for LeBron's third quarter outburst where he stole the show from Dwyane Wade by scoring 26 of his 38 points in the second half. Dwyane Wade wasn't no slouch either as he scored 31 points to mark the first time in their tenure together that James and Wade had both scored over 30 points in the same game.
The first game was the ordinary, ugly Heat and Bobcats game as each team struggled to score for extended periods of time. It appeared destined for a blow out as the Heat took a 56-37 lead going into halftime, but Miami saw that lead evaporate as Charlotte took a lead late in the fourth quarter before some late game heroics by James would put an end to the miraculous Bobcats comeback. Wade struggled with only 11 points, but James and Bosh combined to score 54 points to make up for his poor shooting night.
Bosh will most likely miss this one as well, but it's the Bobcats and the Heat will be hungry for a win after the previous night's game against Orlando. There aren't too many threats on Charlotte's offense ,aside from Stephen Jackson, to support the team against one like the Heat and it should result in an easy Miami road victory.
Prediction
Miami 99, Charlotte 85
February 6th-Vs Los Angeles Clippers
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Previous Matchups
January 12th-Los Angeles Clippers 111, Miami 105
The Miami Heat were a team that didn't look ready when they went into the Staples Center on the first night of a back-to-back. The Los Angeles Clippers came out firing on all cylinders as they played the Miami Heat like it was game seven of the NBA finals by scoring 44 first quarter points and leading by 18 after the first 12 minutes. Miami would close the gap to two late in the fourth quarter after a LeBron James three-pointer, but Baron Davis and Blake Griffin would not allow to blow so large a lead as they took over from there.
The Heat nearly did the impossible by keeping Griffin from making another highlight reel play, but they still allowed the man-child to go off for 24 points and 14 rebounds. It was also quite the sight to see Baron Davis actually play with motivation and ambition as he lit up the Heat for 20 points and nine assists. The Heat got 84 points from their big three, but saw no support from the supporting cast aside from Mario Chalmers 12 points. Carlos Arroyo, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Joel Anthony, and James Jones combined to score a dismal nine points in the loss.
Luckily for the Heat, they are home this time to face the Clippers. At 3-15, the Clippers are one of the NBA's worst road teams as they take on a Heat team that will most likely be out looking for revenge against a Los Angeles team that surprised them and ended their franchise long road winning streak. Miami also the benefit of playing with a 100% LeBron James rather than the LeBron who injured his ankle midway through the fourth quarter. James, Wade, and most likely Bosh will be looking to win this and win it big.
Prediction
Miami 110, Los Angeles Clippers 96.
February 8th-Vs Indiana Pacers
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Previous Matchup's
November 22nd-Indiana 93, Miami 77
The Miami Heat that lost by 16 points to the Indiana Pacers at home was a moment of this season that the team would most likely want to forget. It featured a team that looked uninspired, unmotivated, and an overall lack of desire and cohesion from each and every member of the team. It came as a shock to see just how bad this Heat team could be despite having LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh all out on the floor. Wade might have been recovering from an injury that kept him out the previous game, but there were still no excuses for the travesty that ensued.
The most detrimental part to the team was Wade who shot an abysmal 1 of 13 from the field on his way to three points, while also allowing his assignment in Brandon Rush to drop 20 points. It was a disappointment from Wade, as he could have easily led the team to victory had he played halfway decent. James and Bosh combined for 46 points and even Arroyo and Ilgauskas got in on the action with 12 apiece, but Wade's three points and the benches' four overall points between four players led to the teams downfall. The Heat even held the Pacers star in Danny Granger to only 6 of 21 shooting.
Needless to say, this Heat team is a lot different from the team you see today. It was only a week later that the Heat began their stretch of 20 wins in 21 games and the team actually began to form some sort of cohesion and chemistry. The Pacers have also been a completely different team as they have gone from a lower seeded Eastern Conference threat to a team just struggling to hang on. With the game back in Miami, the Heat will not look to disappoint their fan base again with another dismal and flat performance.
Prediction
Miami 103, Indiana 88
February 11th-at Detroit Pistons
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Previous Matchup's
December 1st-Miami 97, Detroit 72
January 28th-TBA
The third meeting between the two teams will be the Heat's first trip to Detroit as they go on to take the less than stellar Pistons. The first meeting in early December was a complete laugher as only one member of the big three played over 30 minutes and not one starter in the Pistons starting five scored in double digits. In fact, the starting five combined to score a mere 31 points on 11 of 37 shooting from the field and 1 of 7 from beyond the arc. Greg Monroe's 15 and Charlie Villanueva's 10 were the only two double digit points for Detroit.
Not one player on the Heat scored over 19 points, but it didn't even come close to mattering as Miami used defense to ward away a dismal and uninspired Detroit squad. It got so ugly that not only could the Pistons muster only nine third quarter points, they also allowed a 37 year old Juwan Howard to score a season high 12 points. Miami had complete control of the game as they led by 11 at the end of the first quarter, 12 by the half, and 22 by the end of the third to put the game away. Dwyane Wade's 16 points came mostly in the second half as he put on a clinic with his 7 of 9 shooting.
Detroit has actually been a decent home team with a 12-10 record at the Palace, but it'll be tough for them to extinguish a Heat team that has had little to no trouble beating up on the unfortunate teams of the league. With Bosh, James, and Wade most likely all to be healthy for the first time in awhile, they're all probably ready to get the big three together again and back in full force.
Prediction
Miami 106, Detroit 87
February 13th-at Boston Celtics
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Previous Matchup's
October 26th-Boston 88, Miami 80
November 11th-Boston 112, Miami 107
The match-up that every Heat fan has been waiting for is now only a month away as they wait to see the Miami Heat take on the Boston Celtics squad that has humbled them twice already. The huge rivalry that everybody was expecting out of the Eastern Conference has been a complete dud thus far as the Celtics completely controlled every aspect of each game. Despite each game being decided only by a combined 13 points, Boston controlled each game for most of the way until allowing the Heat to work their way back into the mix in the fourth quarter.
The regular season opener was a trainwreck for the Heat as they debuted to the tune of nine first quarter points. It only got worse from there as they allowed Boston to take a 15 point lead going into the half. They'd use a 27-18 third quarter advantage, thanks to LeBron James, to get back into the game, but it was all too little to late against a Celtics team that wasn't about to blow a double-digit lead against the team that was trying usurp them from the top of the East. The second game was just as bad as the Heat allowed Boston to wipe the floor with them in their own house. Both games were extremely similar as Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen had field days, while Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh struggled for the most part.
The keys to a Heat victory this time around in Boston is to keep Rondo on the perimeter in order to limit penetration and his ability to dictate the offense and to also limit Ray Allen as much as humanly possible. That means Wade not taking gambles and risks on defense and having to actually stick on Allen aside from shadowing him. If Allen's 35 points in the past meeting wasn't enough, then this Heat team is in for a rough wake up call. However, Miami has completely changed since early November and we could see a different, motivated team heading into the two teams matchup.
Prediction
Miami 94, Boston 91
February 15th-at Indiana Pacers
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Previous Matchup's
November 22nd-Indiana 93, Miami 77
February 8th-TBA
The Heat face the Indiana Pacers for the second time in a week with this game representing the teams only visit to Canseco Fieldhouse this regular season. The Heat haven't always played admirably in the confines of Indiana, it was only a few seasons ago that the Heat began to have some luck against the Pacers on their home court. With LeBron James and Chris Bosh now on the team however, Miami should find it easier winning in Indiana.
Prediction
Miami 96, Indiana 86
February 16th-at Toronto Raptors
8 of 12
Previous Matchup's
November 13th-Miami 109, Toronto 100
January 22nd-Miami 120, Toronto 103
No Chris Bosh. No Dwyane Wade. No problem. When Toronto came into Miami earlier this week, a win by the Raptors in the Heat's house wouldn't have come as surprising since LeBron James was put into a starting lineup alongside Mario Chalmers, Mike Miller, Joel Anthony, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Instead of what was thought to be a competitive game, the Heat absolutely blew out the overmatched Raptors as Miami took as much as a 28 point lead in the first half. Who else could have contributed to this game aside from LeBron James?
It was the player who had previously scored a grand total of 0 points at home the entire regular season. Mike Miller left the American Airlines Arena with 32, 26 in the first half, to lead the Heat to an easy victory. LeBron James would make his presence felt in the second half to prevent a monumental collapse as he finished with 38 points. DeMar DeRozan would lead the way with 30 points for the Raptors, but it wouldn't nearly be enough as the Heat proved to be too much even with Bosh and Wade not in the lineup.
This will mark the Heat's first visit to the Northern frontier this season and it will also represent Chris Bosh's first visit back to Toronto since leaving the team over the off season. There's no doubt that Bosh will be ready to take on his former team in the city that used to love him. If Toronto holds as much a grudge against their former players like Cleveland does, then Bosh is really going to be hearing it from the Air Canada Center. The only problem for Toronto is that Miami is a far better team and they could face the same treatment that LeBron gave to Cleveland.
Prediction
Miami 116, Toronto 90
February 22nd-Vs Sacramento Kings
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Previous Matchup's
December 11th-Miami 104, Sacramento 83
The first match-up wasn't too eventful and chances are the second won't be either. With the game back in Miami this time around, the Heat shouldn't have any trouble with one of the NBA's worst teams. In the first quarter of the Heat's 21 point blowout, the Kings actually had the upperhand for awhile as they took a seven point lead into the second quarter before quickly relinquishing it at the hands of a 30-18 Heat advantage in the second. Miami would then pull away by outscoring Sacramento 57-41 in the second half thanks to the combined effort of the big three.
Only three players on the Heat scored in double digits with each of those players being a member of the big three. They combined for 75 of the Heat's 104 points with Wade leading the way at 36 points, six rebounds, and six assists. LeBron contributed a solid 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Chris Bosh put in a modest 14 points and a season high 17 rebounds. On the other side of the court, Omri Casspi was the only King to show up to the Arco as he scored 20 points with 15 of them from beyond the arc. Reigning rookie of the year Tyreke Evans struggled with only five points on 2 of 10 shooting.
This game will be exactly what you expect from a Heat and Kings match-up. It will be filled with plenty of highlight reel plays from the big three, a highly possible blowout, and another one in the win column for the Heat as they take advantage of the six day break they received prior to the game. Not only that, but it'll be smart for the Heat to rack up wins while they can before they take on two quality teams within three days.
Prediction
Miami 113, Sacramento 86
February 24th-at Chicago Bulls
10 of 12
Previous Matchup's
January 15th-Chicago 99, Miami 96
A game to remember for the Chicago Bulls, not too much for the Miami Heat. Not only were the Heat already playing without LeBron James after an injury he suffered earlier in the week, but they also happened to lose Chris Bosh in the third quarter after an ankle injury. Dwyane Wade did all he could against a tough Bulls team to the tune of 33 points, six rebounds, and four assists, yet it was the All-Star on the other side of the court stealing the show and the game from Wade and the Heat. Even with the Heat hitting 13 three-pointers, it was just too much Derrick Rose for the Heat to handle.
With 34 points and eight assists in 42 minutes, as well as some huge shots late in the fourth quarter, Rose showed why the Heat have some gaping holes as far as defense is concerned at the point guard spot. Neither Carlos Arroyo, Mario Chalmers, or Eddie House could put a damper on the offensive onslaught that Derrick brought to the game as he led the team to a close victory. The Heat did just about everything else right by limiting Carlos Boozer and Luol Deng and even took the lead with less than a minute remaining, but a late three-pointer by Kyle Korver would put the game away for Chicago as they took the first game of a budding rivalry.
Barring any more injuries, the Heat will have Bosh and James at 100% while the Bulls will most likely have Joakim Noah back from an injury that has kept him out the past few weeks. It will be the first time this season that the Bulls will be at 100% and it will also mark the first time that these two teams will play each other at full strength. With the game back in Chicago, the Heat aren't exactly looking to lose for the second consecutive time at the United Center in the span of a month. Expect big numbers from Rose, Wade, and James, but also expect this one to go the Heat's way in a tight game.
Prediction
Miami 96, Chicago 91
February 25th-Vs Washington Wizards
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Previous Matchup's
November 29th-Miami 105, Washington 94
December 18th-Miami 95, Washington 94
For a team that currently stands at 13-31, the Washington Wizards have made the Miami Heat work for their two wins. The first eleven point victory for the Heat was a game that far more close than the score states as the Wizards were only down by eight at the break and still managed to make it a game for most of the way until the big three decided that they had enough and pull away early in the fourth quarter. The big three would combine for 76 points, but it was Juwan Howard's shove to Hilton Armstrong after his flagrant foul on Joel Anthony that would be the most memorable moment of the game.
The second game was a match-up that no one expected as the Heat were still recovering from the high they had after beating up on the New York Knicks the night before. The Wizards held the lead for most of the way and appeared to be destined for victory when they held a five point lead with less than 30 seconds to go. However, a few three-pointers, turnovers, and free throw shooters later, the Heat escaped D.C. with a one point victory to keep their winning streak alive while also escaping an embarrassing loss to the cellar dweller of the Southeast division.
Considering this game will be played in Miami and the Wizards are still winless on the road, it should only be a minor speed bump for the Heat as they look to build off of their win streak. The Wizards have a team capable of making noise a few years from now, unfortunately it isn't the future and Washington is still a considerably awful team.
Prediction
Miami 104, Washington 91
February 27th-Vs New York Knicks
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Previous Matchup's
December 17th-Miami 113, New York 91
December 28th-Miami 106, New York 98
January 27th-New York 93, Miami 88
The third match-up in the newly revived rivalry doesn't exactly correspond with the first two games, but it was a disappointing win for the Heat and a timely win for the Knicks no matter how you put it. The Heat went the same route as the second game in the series as they blew a double digit lead in the fourth quarter, this time though they didn't have the tools to pull out a victory as they were without Chris Bosh to help stretch the floor. Even without Bosh, the Heat lost a game that they could have easily won.
Unlike the first two games of the series where LeBron had the game in complete control, James completely laid an egg in the latest meeting as he missed 17 of 24 shots in a game where the Heat desperately could have used him. Not even Dwyane Wade's 34 points and 16 rebounds could support the team enough to will out a victory as the Knicks used a 29-15 fourth quarter to steal one away from Miami. After three and a half quarters of terrible shooting from beyond the arc, Danillo Gallinari and Landry Fields hit crucial shots to give the team a needed victory.
This will be the last game of the series and it would be surprising to see LeBron have another performance like he had in the Heat's loss. Clearly the presence of Bosh is missed and the Heat are definitely hoping for a month where there big three will be at full strength once again. It has now been a week since the big three has played together at 100% and the month of February will be a good way for the team to bounce back after a tough January. These wins in February are going to be huge considering the gauntlet they will face in March.
Prediction
Miami 106, New York 94
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