Miami Heat Show True Colors in Collapse Against Orlando Magic
When LeBron James was announcing his "decision", millions tuned in to ESPN, only to watch him turn his back on Cleveland and team up with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami.
That’s when everything started: the predictions, the NBA title talk, the NBA’s best-ever record.
Struggling early in the season, and then apparently finding its rhythm, the team looked to be on its way to realizing its lofty goals.
However, of late, the Heat have had numerous games stolen from them in the closing minutes.
With last second shot attempts missed by LeBron in games versus Chicago and a re-vamped Knicks team this past week, the doubters are increasing.
The Heat have some of the biggest stars in the NBA and with point guard Mike Bibby joining the roster, they have apparently filled their void at guard.
But the questions about team leadership, work ethic and the teams inability to beat the league's best all raise red flags.
In the battle of Florida taking place between the Heat and the Magic, Miami looked to bounce back after their loss at home to the Knicks, while the Magic were looking for redemption after the Heat beat them earlier in the season.
The Heat came into the game on fire (no pun intended) and seemed to be coasting to a victory, until the Magic went bombs away. With six threes coming from Jason Richardson, the Magic went 16-29 from long-range while the Heat went 3-17.
Dwight Howard had another double-double for the Magic, while LeBron scored 29 and Wade 28 respectively for the Heat.
That is now three big-time losses in a week’s time for the Heat, all against top Eastern Conference teams (Chicago, New York and Orlando).
Although the team picked up Bibby, their glaring hole at center was a problem they were unable to address before the trading deadline and that may prove to be their undoing in the playoffs.
In last night's game, the Magic simply outplayed, outworked and never quit against the Heat, and when it comes to playoff time, those traits will knock the Heat out of the playoff picture, if they don’t get things right.
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