Just when you thought the Heat seemed unbeatable again, beating the Lakers, and then blowing out Memphis NBA-best San Antonio - to the point that one of their beat writers actually asked the question if they could run the table and win their next 15 games - they fell short against the Oklahoma City Thunder at home last night 96-85. Kevin Durant had a game high 29 points while Miami shot just 38% from the field and was outrebounded 51-40 by the young Thunder. Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh combined for 61 points, but were just 4 of 24 from the floor after the half and James had just 3 assists, a season low. Erick Dampier and Mario Chalmer, the other two starters finished with just one point between the two of them in 37 minutes. The loss puts the Heat 4 losses behind the Celtics and Bulls now in addition to the fact that both of those clubs hold the tiebreaker edge over Miami. So with just 14 games left for the Heat, they're all but assured to be looking at a #3 seed come playoff time. It's hard to figure out what Miami team is going to show up from one night to the next. While the Thunder played inspired defense last night, this did not look like the same team that made the Spurs look like something straight out of the NBDL just a few nights earlier. Ultimately I think their inconsistency is going to be their undoing, but it's also their inconsistency that makes them so difficult to predict. Miami is in action again tomorrow at Atlanta.
MILES AND MILES AND MILES
C.J. Miles has averaged about 8 points a game over his NBA career. Coming into last night's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves his career high for points in a game was 29 back on March 31, 2008 against the Wizards. You wouldn't have been able to guess that watching him last night though. Miles hit 14 of 18 shots from the floor, including 6 of 7 3-pointers and finished with 40 points in 32 minutes en route to a 119-104 win. All 5 Jazz starters finished in double digits as Utah won for just the 5th time in their last 16 games. Utah is currently in 9th place in the Western Conference trailing Memphis by a game and a half for the final playoff spot. Kevin Love started a new double double streak with 22 points and 11 rebounds in a losing effort.
Photo Courtesy: bleacherrerport.com
PLAYOFF RACES
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