No human security barricades this time. No concerns about the scorned fans running onto the court. No untoward gestures and definitely no booing as LeBron James takes on his former club on Wednesday night at his new found home.
James ripped apart the Cleveland Cavaliers, the last time he met his ex-team-mates this season at the Quicken Loans Arena, scoring a season high 38 points. It was the first time the Big Three of Miami gave an indication that they might be jelling there games
together, and the Heat have not looked back since.
For the Wine and Gold, the situation has been the exact opposite. After being thrashed by 28 points by the men from the South Beach, the Cavaliers have dug themselves a big hole as they have lost eight games on the trot ever since.
But a visit to the AmericanAirlines Arena might be a chance for redemption and resurrection for the embattled Cavs. They may not be the same team, going into match with James at the opposite end, but they need to find their self confidence and belief. If
anything is going to get them over this big hump and put them on the right track in the season, it surely will be the feeling of pinning down LeBron’s Miami.
Erik Spoelstra, the Miami head coach, who has witnessed the best run of his career as Miami have pulled off nine in a row, is very cautious in his approach though. Relaxing against a struggling unit is not an uncommon occurrence and the Miami-in charge not
willing to fall into the trap.
"We had a tough win up there that you wish you could just erase the memory of the score of that game so we can come in with a fresh mind, which I don't think will be a problem," Spoelstra said. "We do need to prepare for [Wednesday] and expect the best.
They're due for a strong game and we've got to make sure it's not against us."
"It's no different than when we lost four out of five," Spoelstra continued. "We still had to work and stay together to try to improve and that's where we are right now. If you just try to relax and think of the wins that we've had, you're not getting any
better. And we have a long ways to go, still."
For James though it is not just an ordinary game. After being mocked, humiliated, and chanted against in Cleveland, on Tuesday the two times reigning MVP showed that he still holds a soft corner for his fans and his club.
"It's not just another opponent," James said. "It's only the second time I've played them since I left," the self proclaimed King said. But LeBron was quick to put his present team’s interest before his feelings.
The match however, will not only be significant for Miami because of the saucy encounter between James and the Clevelanders.
A double digit win for the Heat will ensure that the Heat disturb the annals of NBA history.
Miami is on the cusp of pulling off a 10th straight win by double digits when they host the Cavaliers, a feat that can see them becoming only the fourth team in the league’s history after the 2007-08 Houston Rockets, 2003-04 New Jersey Nets and
1946-47 Washington Capitols to feature in the exclusive club.
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