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Charlotte Bobcats Vs. Miami Heat: Game 5 Preview

The Heat will host the Bobcats in Miami for their second meeting in less than a week. Can they extend their season opening winning streak to five games?

By Kevin Kraczkowski

The Miami Heat will be hosting the Charlotte Bobcats in Miami at the AAA tonight. It's the second of three meetings this season between the Southeastern Division rivals, and the first of two games they will play in Florida. For the Bobcats, this is the first game of a three game roadtrip. After playing Miami tonight, they go on to visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday and the New York Knicks on Wednesday. Miami is playing in the first game of a three game homestand. They go on to host the Atlanta Hawks tomorrow and the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.

The last time the two teams met was this past Wednesday. LeBron James led the Heat with 35 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Chris Bosh added 25 points and six rebounds, Mario Chalmers added 15 and Dwyane Wade 10, including the game winner with 2.9 seconds remaining as the Heat won, 96-95.

NBA Miami Heat Vs Charlotte Bobcats Game Recap 12/28/2011 D-Wade Game Winner (via NBAHiighlights)

Miami is coming off their fourth consecutive win to open the season, in Minnesota. LeBron James led the Heat with 34 points and 10 assists, Chris Bosh added 20 points and nine rebounds and Dwyane Wade tacked on 19 for the Heat, including his second consecutive game winner on an inbounds pass with five seconds remaining. Kevin Love led six Timberwolves in double figures with 25 points to go with his 12 rebounds.

NBA Miami Heat Vs Minnesota Timberwolves Game Recap 12/30/2011 D-Wade Game Winner (via NBAHiighlights)


The Bobcats are coming off a 100-79 loss against the Orlando Magic on Friday night. Corey Maggette led four Bobcats in double figures with 20 points for Charlotte. Dwight Howard scored 20 with 24 rebounds for Orlando.

Orlando vs Charlotte NBA Highlights 12/30/2011 (via bballfansite)


All-Time Series: 19-10


Game Time: 6:00 EST

Season Series: 1-0

Standings

Miami Heat: 4-0, tied for first in the Southeast Division and the Eastern Conference, second in the NBA.

Charlotte Bobcats: 1-2, fourth in the Southeast Division, tied for eighth in the Eastern Conference, and tied for 16th in the NBA.

Probable Starters:

Miami Heat

PG - Mario Chalmers

SG - Dwyane Wade

SF - LeBron James

PF - Chris Bosh

C - Joel Anthony

Charlotte Bobcats

PG - D.J. Augustin

SG - Gerald Henderson

SF - Corey Magette

PF - D.J. White

C - Boris Diaw

Common Thread:

Miami forward Juwan Howard played in 39 games for the Bobcats in 2008-09, averaging four points and two rebounds in 12 minutes per game.


Team Milestones:.

Joel Anthony will play in his 249th game for Miami, tying him with Voshon Lenard in 15th.

Three more field goals for will move Udonis Haslem into sixth place all-time past Eddie Jones with 2,142. Ten more assists will move him past Rony Seikaly into 19th, with 574.

Six more free throws will move LeBron James past Steve Smith into 15th all time, with 543. Eight more assists will move him past Rony Seikaly into 18th all-time, with 574. 10 points for James moves him past Willie Burton into 19th with 2,253 points.

Team Leaders:

PPG:

LeBron James, 33.0

Dwyane Wade,19.8

Chris Bosh, 16.8

RPG:

Udonis Haslem,10.3

Chris Bosh, 8.3

LeBron James, 7.5

APG:

LeBron James, 7.0

Dwyane Wade, 5.8

Mario Chalmers, 4.0

SPG:

LeBron James, 2.8

Mario Chalmers, 2.5

Norris Cole, Shane Battier, 1.5

BPG:

Dwyane Wade, 2.5

LeBron James,1.5

Chris Bosh, 1.3

In This Stream

Bobcats Vs. Heat: Miami Dominates, Walks Away With 129-90 Win

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Photographs by cstreet.us, thelastminute, turtlemom nancy , fesek, kthypryn, justinwright, sue_elias, pointnshoot, and scrapstothefuture used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.