However, there is still going to be a ton of talent on the floor with Goran Dragic, Joe Johnson, and Dwyane Wade for the Heat with Derrick Rose and Pau Gasol suiting up for the Bulls.
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Or, for that matter, having to learn the tendencies of too many of his new teammates.
But the Cleveland Cavaliers are also interested in Thornton, who is shooting 34 percent on 3-pointers and 88 percent on free throws.
The Heat’s. 675 shooting percentage not only was a franchise all-time best, but also the best in the National Basketball Association this season, matching the best in the National Basketball Association since 1998. “They pretty much got everything that they wanted”.
A reality show followed, one that also saw the Heat produce both their most prolific first quarter and first half of the season. Miami quickly put the pedal back down though: Rose was back out in a little over two minutes, and the Heat had the lead back over 21 before the game was over.
After Tuesday’s game, the Heat play their next four games against sub-.500 teams, so now is the time for them to capitalize in hopes of assuring their place in the top four in the East.
Russell Westbrook had 20 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 131-116 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Monday night. Alex Len had 18 points and 12 rebounds, and Mirza Teletovic scored 17 points.
“We’ve got a team that has a very aggressive mindset”, Deng said. Hassan Whiteside scored a career-high 26 points and had 14 rebounds for the Heat, while Johnson scored 24 points in the first time he had played in back-to-back wins since December 8-10 with Brooklyn.
And as for Johnson’s mere presence, it represents a Heat organization sparing no effort or expense in the effort to stay relevant for a shot in the finals, even with Chris Bosh’s injury still a question mark for the long term. “I’m just wondering when we’re gonna say it’s enough”. Joe Johnson added 24 points.
But all of them, Spoelstra said, have to remain in motion, push the pace on offense.
Doug McDermott hit a couple jumpers and Mike Dunleavy scored in double figures, but if you’re gonna play run and gun with a team that has a seemingly unlimited supply of versatile, shot-creating wings, you’re better off being at full strength.
There was a great appreciation when it was over.
Against him will be Whiteside, a luxury the Heat have as they’re the only team bringing an Imperial Star Destroyer off the bench.
Guard Kemba Walker scored 26 points in just three quarters of action, and the Charlotte Hornets extended the Phoenix Suns’ road losing streak to 16 straight with an easy 126-92 victory on Tuesday night.
But that’s when jumpers from Johnson and Dragic helped the Heat push their lead back to 112-102, with the Heat, aided by a dynamic Whiteside alley-oop finish off a Wade assist, finishing it off from there.
After pushing their lead to 17 in the third period, the Heat went into the fourth up 95-82, with Johnson already up to 20 points by then. They pushed the lead to 43 in the second half in winning for the seventh time in the last nine games.
This was the second game of the four-game season series.
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Their defense allowed an opponent to score 100 or more points for the 14th straight game, which they haven’t done in 30 years.
