Miami Heat vs. Brooklyn Nets - NBA Preview
With only one loss so far against an inspired New York Knicks side, at 3-1, Miami Heat have all the momentum as they head into tonight’s fixture against the Brooklyn Nets at the American Airlines Arena. They come into this game
holding a 3-0 perfect record at home and there is no reason for them not to brush past the Nets tonight.
Miami will enter the game having won all of their previous 10 fixtures against the Nets. They own a 56-41 record against the Nets all-time, with a 32-16 advantage in games played at Miami. The last time Nets won at Miami was way
back in January, 2008. Heat has won 15 of 17 games at home stretching back to last season’s playoffs, though their next six games are all on the road.
This season so far, Miami average a league high 111.8 points per game as compared to 98.5 last season and given their form, Brooklyn Nets are in for some pounding. They however are not to be taken lightly. Nets are a vastly improved
team and in a recently published NBA survey of all 30 NBA General Managers, the Nets were voted the overwhelming favourite to be the most improved team in 2012-13. They are much stronger on paper, but they will have to prove it on the court this season.
They come into this game with nothing to lose, but Miami are a beast at home. Nets failed to contain Minnesota Timberwolves in the final quarter on Monday and ended up losing the game from a comfortable situation
in the fourth quarter. Given that letup who’s to say they will be able to control the “Big Three” when things go down to the wire.
On top of that they might be missing the services of Gerald Wallace who is their best on-ball defender and the one person who can keep the likes of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in check.
James, Wade and Chris Bosh are all averaging above 20 points coming into this game. James also boasts a splendid record against the Nets, winning his last 14 games against them and averaging 30.3 points in the last four alone.
So he is the man to look out for tonight.
The bright side for the Nets is that Brook Lopez is on song and is averaging 20 points per game while Deron Williams has also been in his element. It’s up to them to rise to the occasion and deliver the goods against the Heat.
Forward Gerald Wallace is questionable for tonight after missing the last game because of a sprained ankle.
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