The Miami Heat look to make it ten wins in a row tonight, visiting the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. The Heat carry a 13-5 road record, while Utah is 13-6 at home. Miami is playing the second game of a three game road trip, having defeated the Portland Trail Blazers last night 107-93 and finishing up against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. The Jazz are finishing up a short two game homestand. They lit up the Houston Rockets, 104-83 on Wednesday night. After this game, they start a five game roadtrip, visiting the Dallas Mavericks tomorrow, the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday and the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday before finishing up against the Chicago Bulls next Saturday.
The two haven't faced each other since a 111-98 Miami victory on Utah's home court on December 8th, 2010. LeBron James led the Heat with 33 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Dwyane Wade added 28 points, and Zydrunus Ilgauskas pitched in 16 points and 10 rebounds. Al Jefferson led five Utah players in double figures with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Deron Williams pitched in 21 points and 12 assists in support of a losing effort. Utah coach Jerry Sloan talked about how the Jazz handled James after the game,
"I don't think we (handled him) at all. He got 33 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. He's a great player and it looked at times we were intimidated by him and Wade. I wish we would have got up and got after him like they were getting after us."
Miami vs Utah NBA Highlights 12/08/10 (via bballfansite)
Miami defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 107-93 last night as the "Big Two" combined for 71 points, giving Chris Bosh the night off for personal reasons. LeBron James led with 38 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and five steals, while Dwyane Wade scored 33 along with 10 assists. Udonis Haslem added a double double with 11 points and 14 rebounds. LaMarcus Aldridge led five Blazers in double figures with 20 points. Portland coach Nate McMillian talked about the difficutlies of guarding two of the best players in the world at the same time,
"They have two great players over there. LeBron and Dwyane were on top of their games tonight. Our guys worked hard to try to force those guys to shoot the ball over the top. They did that, but (James and Wade) made them. It's a tough matchup when you have guys like that who can score and are willing passers."
3.1.2012 Miami Heat @ Portland Trail Blazers Full Game Highlights HD (via nbahighlights9999)
The Jazz blew out the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, 104-83 behind 27 from C. J. Miles. Al Jefferson scored 14 with 10 rebounds and five assists. Luis Scola led the Rockets with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Miles spoke after the game about playing on home court versus on the road,
"Energy. I think that fight is the biggest thing. Not to say we don't play hard on the road, but it's a different level. A lot of teams have that because you have your home fans and your comfort level, and some guys always play better at home. I think we just have to find a way to bring that fight on the road, a little bit of that attitude and that swagger, like the rim is 10 feet here and it's 10 feet there."
NBA CIRCLE - Houston Rockets Vs Utah Jazz Highlights Feb 29, 2012 Game Recap (via NEWNBACIRCLE)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Records:
Miami Heat: 28-7, first in the Southeast Division, first in the Eastern Conference, second in the NBA. On pace for 53-13. Last five: W-W-W-W-W
Utah Jazz: 16-18, fifth in the Northwest Division, 11th in the Western Conference, 19th in the NBA. On pace for 31-35. Last five: L-L-L-L-W