Miami Heat Visit New Jersey Nets: Game 9 Preview

The Miami Heat will be visiting the New Jersey Nets in the Prudential Center tonight. It's the first of three meetings this season between the Eastern Conference rivals, and the first of two games they will play in New Jersey. For the Heat, This is the second game of a five game roadtrip. They won a triple overtime affair against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday, 116-109 and go on to face the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday and the Denver Nuggets next Friday before returning home for a five game homestand. The Nets are starting a two game homestand and go on to play the Atlanta Hawks on Monday.

The two teams last met on April 3rd of last season, with the Heat coming away with a 108-94 victory. LeBron James led six Miami players in double figures, scoring 31 along with 11 rebounds and seven assists. Erick Dampier grabbed 14 rebounds for the Heat. Deron Williams led the Nets in a losing effort with 18 points and 12 assists.

Miami vs New Jersey NBA Highlights 04/03/11 (via bballfansite)

Miami faced the Atlanta Hawks last night at the Phillips Arena in Atlanta, winning a triple overtime marathon, 116-109. Miami was without "big three" members, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Chris Bosh led Miami with 33 points and 14 rebounds, Mario Chalmers added 29 points and eight assists, and Udonis Haslem added 14 points and 11 rebounds for Miami. Terrel Harris also collected 14 boards for the Heat. The Hawks featured six players in double figures, led by Joe Johnson's 20, along with 17 points and 13 rebounds from Josh Smith.

Miami vs Atlanta NBA Highlights 01/05/2012 (via bballfansite)

The Nets played the Raptors in Toronto last night, winning their second game of the season, 97-85. Anthony Morrow and Deron Williams led the Nets with 24 each, while Jose Calderon led the Raptors with 19 points in a losing effort.

All-Time Series: 53-41

Game Time: 7:30 EST

Season Series: 0-0

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Standings:

Miami Heat: 7-1, first in the Southeast Division, tied with the Chicago Bulls for first in the Eastern Conference and in the NBA.

New Jersey Nets, 2-6, fifth in the Atlantic Division, 14th in the Eastern Conference, and 29th in the NBA.

Probable Starters:

Miami Heat:

PG - Mario Chalmers

SG - James Jones

SF - Shane Battier

PF - Chris Bosh

C - Joel Anthony

New Jersey Nets:

PG - Sundiata Gaines

SG - MarShon Brooks

SF - Damion James

PF - Shelden Williams

C - Mehmet Okur

Common Thread:

Nobody on either roster has played for the opposing team in tonights matchup.

Team Milestones:

James Jones needs five more three-pointers to pass Jamal Mashburn into 14th, with 211.

Chris Bosh needs 16 free throws to reach 433, placing him in 20th, passing John Salley.

Udonis Haslem needs six assists to move him past Rony Seikaly into 19th, with 574.

11 more assists for LeBron James will put him in 17th on the All-Time list, passing Jamal Mashburn with a total of 617.

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Team Leaders:

PPG:

LeBron James, 29.9

Chris Bosh, 20.6

Dwyane Wade,18.8

RPG:

Udonis Haslem,10.1

Chris Bosh, 8.6

LeBron James, 7.7

APG:

LeBron James, 7.4

Dwyane Wade, 6.5

Mario Chalmers, 4.4

SPG:

LeBron James, 2.0

Mario Chalmers, 1.9

Dwyane Wade, 1.5

BPG:

Dwyane Wade, 2.0

LeBron James, Chris Bosh, 0.9