definitely not calm indeed
Phoenix Suns (DoobieKnicks) AWAY v.
Miami Heat (j.23) HOME
Suns Starting Lineup -
C - B. Diaw
F - S. Marion
F - T. Thomas
G - S. Nash
G - R. Bell
Heat Starting Lineup -
C - S. O'Neal
F - A. Walker
F - U. Haslem
G - J. Williams
G - D. Wade
Recap
Sloppy is the best way to describe the opening quarter. The Heat started the game off with a quick 6-0 run. The Suns managed to make a run of their own soon-after, with all of their points coming off free throws. Unfortunately for the heat, the person who picked up most of the fouls was Shaq and he was quickly designated to the bench soon after. Dwyane Wade lead the Heat in scoring in the first quarter with 6 points and 2 assists while Shawn Marion scored 4 and grabbed 4 rebounds. The start of the second quarter was reminiscent of the first with sloppy plays from both ends. The ball was constantly being turned over by both teams on the court. However despite all ths, the Heat managed to pull out a quick 10-1 run to start off the quarter. Foul trouble once again started to plague both teams as Shaq, Marion and Jason Williams all picked up 3 quick fouls before halftime. The Suns could never muster a run of their own as their point guard Steve Nash could not seem to get his groove going. He was being pestered by the backcourt duo of Wade and Payton. His teammates could not provide him help either. At half time, what was once a 18-13 Heat advantage turned out to a 50-32 lead.
Players at the Half:
Gary Payton - 11 points on 3-3 shooting, 5-5 from the charity stripe
Raja Bell - 10 points on 4-9 shooting
Overall team statistics at the half:
Suns shot 13/30 from the floor - Heat shot 20/27
The Suns uncharacteristically had only 9 assists at the half, the Heat had 14
The Suns turned the ball over 11 times, the Heat turned the ball over 8
The Suns only had 2 points off the bench while the Heat had 17; 11 coming from the Glove himself.
The third quarter saw the Heat start off with a 14-2 run, with the majority of the baskets either coming down Shaq and Wade. The lead eventually got up to 30 that is until Leandro Barbosa came in. Barbosa came off the bench with guns a'blazing, hitting 7-9 shots, 3-5 from 3, for a total of 17 points for the quarter.
Barbosa continued his heroics in the 4th quarter, scoring 19 points. At one point, what was once a 30 point Heat lead evaporated to only a 13 point advantage. Unfortunately for the Suns, Barbosa could not lift his team to a comeback victory as Wade and Payton continued finding teammates for open shots. The Heat win this one, 101-77.
Player of the Game
Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
19 Points
11 Assists
3 Steals
2 Blocks
Honourable Mention:
Leandro Barbosa, Phoenix Suns
36 Points (All in the 2nd half), 6/12 from downtown
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Gary Payton, Miami Heat
15 Points (5-5 Shooting, 5-5 from the free throw line)
2 Rebounds
8 Assists
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Game Stats:
The Heat shot 7/11 from downtown, The Suns shot 8/22
The Heat had 30 assists and 15 turnovers while The Suns had 16 assists and 17 turnovers
5 players on The Heat (Wade, Payton, Posey (leading scorer - 20), Shaq, J. Williams) scored in double figures, The Suns only had 2 ((Barbosa - 36), Bell)
Steve Nash was held to 6 points. He had 7 assists and 4 turnovers.