We didn't play playoff defense--that's for sure. This game was more like a show than a war. Our bigs may have been a bit tired. I wouldn't expect them to give up so many boards even with the over-the-backs when fresh. Miami played their game, waiting for us at home, diving for all the loose balls, Shaq playing animated and Wade given a green ticket by our defense and we had control of the game on their court. This is the Atlanta game at a higher level. Our turnovers cost us or we win. If we keep the ball moving on this team, we can expose their slowness of foot. We will score on them again--98 points. They will not score on us like that when we bring it. We didn't bring our big D late. Absolutely, Wade can be guarded better--I have seen other teams do it. The Heat can compete with us but it will take more than they have shown to beat us in a real series.

The defense was great on anyone not named Shaq or Wade. You're not going to shut down a supporting cast much better than that. Only Payton had a decent night outside of the "Big Two". The thing that hurt is that Shaq and Wade shot the ball too well. You don't really bank on Wade doing what he did in the fourth quarter, and Shaq was really getting away with a lot of push-offs on the putbacks. Notice that everytime he got an offensive rebound one of the Wallaces was enjoying the slam from a view on the floor in the first row? If the officials are going to allow that type of thing to go on, then there's not much we can do. We just have to hope the officials correct the issue, because that was an easy 10-12 points right there.

The best thing we can take from this game is that we have a guy on the roster that can contain Wade. The only issue is if he's going to get enough playing time be a factor in the future.

Well, well, Micro I guess your boy Zsa Zsa didn't have a good game today or you would have found solice.
...If this game didn't convince you we need HCA nothing will. Our boys are good but they aint walking away from the league like the Bulls did.
...And thanks again for changing your avatar. Spooky is spooky, I'm sure it only took half of us complaining to get you to realize. Why not put that mask on Fino?
...I been looking for something to smash since the Atl. game.
...Fortunately there's enough punk teams in this league for us to get 60 wins.

don't look now, but the spurs have won 9 straight and are now only 1 game behind the pistons. the pistons dropped another game they should of won. i thought the team would stop being overconfident after the atlanta loss, but i was wrong. lets hope the pistons have another great run after the allstar break to finish the season.

Flip's biggest mistake was not playing Delfino more. He played shutdown D against Wade, yet when Wade was scoring his 17 in a row, Flip didn't go back to him.

That's the problem with 5 "all-star" starters. When they play bad, or are mismatched, the coach will never dare to replace them. Flip needed some cajones last night, cause I bet we win, if he put Delfino in for Tay in the last 5 minutes last night.

Fellas,

I have read a lot of really good points about yesterday's game! It was definitely a game we should have had, and I am probably more pissed than anyone else because I kept waking up in the middle of the night thinking about it!!! Yeah, yeah, yeah......i know i'm trippin, but the fact remains is that we have done this twice in the past week on the road!!! Going into the fourth quarter, having controlled the game the entire time, to not come away with the win.....it's just disheartening!!! And yeah, i know it's the dog days of the NBA season, but all we have heard all year is that "getting home-court" is the mission for the regular season...and they can't continue to let up on any of these teams late, because we are just giving them confidence!!

Now granted, do i think miami can beat us in a 7-game series? If both teams play like that at the end of the game, yep!!! But come playoff time, i'm sure it will be a different story!! Miami through everything, including the kitchen sink yesterday, and it was on their home-court so the officating will always be suspect!! Bottom line, we just need to start playing better and not force so many jump shots when we have control of the game.....well if there w/n the flow of the offense is one thing, but alot of those shots and turnovers was people trying to do to much!!! Ok, well i think i've said enough for now....but i will leave you all with this thought....we only took 2 free throws in the 4th!!!! ONLY 2!!!!!! That should tell you all you need to know!!!!! With all of that said, we will still get home court and still take care of business come June!!! Bottom line, it was only one game.....a game we should have had and put our foot on their necks....but only one game!!!!!

I'M OUT!!!!

interesting thing, it was the first time for me to see Billups dunk.
http://cmsimg.detnews.com/apps/pbcsi...&Q=100&title=1

Thoughts

Heat salary cap situation is actually quite a bit better than the Pistons.

Carlos Delfino needs some more playing time. Great job on Wade.

Dale Davis isn't a Shaq stopper in the way EC was (or is?)

Flip's stubborn refusal to adjust during games and play the bench brings back memories of another coach.

We do sometimes miss the Iron Fist of Larry Brown.

Wait till Wade gets his Max deal. In 2009/2010 Shaq will be 38, and they'll have about 40 million bucks wrapped up in 2 players with only 1 being "superstar" level.

For the next two years the Heat are in great shape and unfortunately we are not in great shape and we have to sign Chauncey too in 2007. From what I've read the Pistons are capped out and will be paying luxury tax for several years. So we may be riding this starting five into the sunset. The time to win is now.