(Photo Credit: Issac Baldizon)
The Miami HEAT continued their winning ways with a 102-93 victory over the visiting Philadelphia 76ers. The HEAT pulled away in the fourth quarter, securing the team's 17th straight victory, a franchise record. The HEAT host the Pacers on Sunday.
Impact Performance of the Night: LeBron James controlled the action again tonight. He finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two blocks. James drove the HEAT offense in the late third quarter and early fourth quarter. James made plays all over the floor, with a monster rebound and fastbreak layup in one sequence being the exclamation mark.
The Deciding Run: In the early fourth quarter the HEAT went on a 10-0 run in three minutes of game time. All of the HEAT’s baskets came at the rim during the spurt, a sign that the offense was getting whatever they wanted. LeBron James, Ray Allen and Norris Cole all contributed to the run.
Play of the Game: We only have one rule in this space: if a player hits his face on the rim on a dunk, he gets the play of the game. That’s exactly what happened with LeBron James at the end of the first quarter. James and Norris Cole ran the break after a defensive rebound. Cole lofted the ball high in the air and James did what he does, grabbing it at a point in the air that nobody else could dream of reaching. James flushed it home and grazed his face on the rim. Impressive all the way around.
Efficiency Rating: Offensive Rating: 113.7, Defensive Rating: 100.2
Trend to Watch: The HEAT were able to clamp down in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter. When the HEAT need to generate stops, they do. The rotations picked up and the 76ers found that passes and shots that were available in the first half were no longer options. Norris Cole and Chris Andersen played a big part, forcing turnovers and wreaking havoc. When the HEAT’s defense controls the game like they did in tonight’s second half, it’s tough for teams to stick with them.
The Takeaway: Outside of the second quarter where the 76ers made five threes, the HEAT played well. Both the offense and defense were efficient. The 76ers haven’t had an answer for the HEAT in the regular season since 2010. It’s hard for them to create against the HEAT on offense and they struggle to keep up with the HEAT’s quickness on the defensive end. It’s a bad matchup that the HEAT were able to take advantage of. Another game, another win. The streak now stands at 17, tied for the longest in the NBA this season.
Notes: Dwyane Wade scored 22 points and dished out four assists. Chris Bosh finished with 16 points and four rebounds. Ray Allen and Shane Battier combined for 23 points off of the bench. With the win the HEAT clinched a playoff berth. Juwan Howard and Jarvis Varnado were inactive.
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