HEAT | Conf-Finals - Game #6 - Rose shoots 1-14

To be honest, I was expecting that Williams - Howard duo will help Nets win at least 1 game . Sucks that Irving isn't ROY. GL with Celtics/Magic

Behind Wade and Irving, HEAT win high-scoring game #1

In an all-Florida series behind the HEAT and the new-look Magic, who beat the Celtics in 6 games, turned out to be a shootout. Despite the Heat scoring 138 points and the Magic 125, both teams didn't shoot lights out - Heat 50% and Orlando 44%

The key to the game were free throws - The HEAT attempted 40 free throws and made 38 of them with Kyrie Irving making all 17 of his freebies.

Irving was hot straight out of the locker room, as he scored 20 points in the first quarter, going 12-12 from the line. He and Wade combined for 30 of Miami's 39 first-quarter points.

The HEAT were always in the driver seat, as the Magic didn't get closer then 9 points after the first quarter.

Three-point shooting, which has been Orlando's bread and butter even after trading Dwight Howard, let them down in game #1, as they shot just 6-31 from distance. The HEAT, who have struggled from the great beyond so far in the Playoffs, weren't brilliant either, making 6 on 13 less tries then Orlando.

Wade owned the second half, scoring 24 points. Irving added 8 in the second half and Rudy Gay and Chris Bosh also helped the cause, both picking up double-doubles with 25 combined rebounds.

Wade finished with 38 points, Irving had 30, Gay had 20 and Bosh had 17. Jimmer Fredette also reached double-figures with 10 points.

Shannon Brown led Orlando with 30 points, though it took 28 shots to get there. Brook Lopez, the main piece in the Dwight Howard trade, was very solid with Dwight-like numbers - 26 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocks.

Brandon Bass was also big with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Rashard Lewis had an off-night, scoring just 8 points on 3-15 shooting.

Box Score

#1 MIA (1-0) | 39 | 31 | 32 | 36 || 138 ||
#5 ORL (0-1) | 30 | 26 | 36 | 33 || 125 ||

Player of the Game : Dwyane Wade

| 38 PTS | 3 REBS | 5 ASTS | 1 STLS | 1 BLKS | 15-23 FG | 1-2 3 PT FG | 7-7 FT



Kyrie Irving : 30 points, 6 assists, 3 steals, 3 rebounds, 6-13 FG, 17-17 FT
Rudy Gay : 20 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals, 9-19 FG
Chris Bosh : 17 points, 14 rebounds, 3 blocks, 5-12 FG, 7-7 FT
Jimmer Fredette : 10 points, 4-9 FG
Serge Ibaka : 9 points
Udonis Haslem : 7 points, 6 rebounds



Shannon Brown : 30 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals, 12-28 FG, 2-8 3PT
Brook Lopez : 26 points, 13 rebounds, 5 blocks, 11-21 FG, 4-6 FT
Brandon Bass : 20 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 8-11 FG, 4-4 FT
Jameer Nelson : 13 points, 6 assists, 5-14 FG
Jason Richardson : 12 points
Rashard Lewis : 8 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 3-15 FG, 1-9 3PT

Congrats on the sweep. Was Irving ever in the running for RotY?

It wasn't really close. Jones averaged 19 and 7 and was the first option on that Denver team. Irving is my 4th option. He was the runner-up though I believe with 12 ppg and 7 apg.

Another high scoring game by your backcourt. I honestly don't expect much from the Magic. Heat in 5

I could imagine sitting in those stands getting so excited seeing the score go higher
and higher
and higher again

Wheres the D!?

Great stuff. Beeing D. Wade fan I really like how this is going. Good luck in further games.

Bosh steps up big, HEAT take game #2

The HEAT shot 72% in the first quarter, making 16 of 22 field goals to jump out to a big lead, but the Magic fought back with 13 made free throws in the second quarter to keep it close. Miami would eventually pull away in the second half for the 122-101 win.

The HEAT shot 53% in the second half while making 11 of 12 free throws while keeping the Magic at 36% and just 2/3 from the stripe as the they settled for jump shots.

Chris Bosh notched his second double-double of the series with 36 points and 10 rebounds and Wade got back on track with his double-doubles, picking up his third double-double in the last 4 games.

Serge Ibaka got back on track with his shot-blocking with 8 swats, 6 of them on Brook Lopez, who still managed 31 points on 30 shots.

Box Score

#1 MIA (2-0) | 36 | 23 | 28 | 35 || 122 ||
#5 ORL (0-2) | 24 | 29 | 20 | 28 || 101 ||

Player of the Game : Chris Bosh

| 36 PTS | 10 REBS | 1 ASTS | 3 STLS | 2 BLKS | 15-21 FG | 0-2 3 PT FG | 6-7 FT



Dwyane Wade : 31 points, 4 rebounds, 11 assists, 12-18 FG, 6-7 FT
Rudy Gay : 17 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 8-18 FG
Serge Ibaka : 10 points, 8 rebounds, 8 blocks, 2 assists, 2 steals, 5-8 FG
Kyrie Irving : 10 points, 8 assists, 2 steals
Ben Wallace : 6 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 3-3 FG



Brook Lopez : 31 points, 15 rebounds, 2 blocks, 12-30 FG, 7-8 FT
Shannon Brown : 18 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, 8-18 FG, 1-6 3PT
Jameer Nelson : 16 points, 10 assists, 3 steals, 6-16 FG
Rashard Lewis : 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 5-14 FG

Even though you gave up over 100 points Ibaka pretty much took Lopez out the game

Can't find my other dustpan, found my broom though

Career high in boards for the Brooke Shields of big men? Good wins. Hopefully Chicago advances, because they'll be your real test.

Wow, Lopez with 30-15 Good win, looks like run and gun works well for your team

Ibaka and Wade flirt with triple-doubles as HEAT take 3-0 advantage

The HEAT looked to cruise to a simple win in game three as they started the game with a 12-0 run and led 31-18 after the first quarter. The Magic looked disorganized and it looked like the first Playofff-journey for the post-Dwight Magic would end in 4 straight losses.

But in the second quarter, they proved that they can compete with the defending champs. They held the HEAT to just 6 points during a 10-minute span to start the second quarter. The HEAT showed they can put points on the board in a hurry, scoring 10 points in the remaining 1.45.

The HEAT still had a 9-point halftime lead, much due to the efforts of Dwyane Wade who had 18 points and 5 assists at the half.

The third quarter was a surprise, as the Magic out-scored the HEAT by 13 points behind 50% shooting and 8 steals in the quarter. With the Magic holding on to a 4-point lead, it looked like the HEAT could lose their first game in these Playoffs.

But Dwyane Wade wasn't having it. The MVP candidate had just 4 points in the third quarter, but scored 10 points and dished out 6 assists in the final period. Behind him, the HEAT shot 73% and had 10 assists on 14 field goals.

And with Serge Ibaka relentlessly protecting the paint, the Magic shot 32% in the quarter. With Ibaka in the middle and Brook Lopez on the bench, the Magic died by the three-ball, launching 14 from beyond the arc, making 4.

The HEAT closed out the Magic on an 14-5 run.

Box Score

#1 MIA (3-0) | 31 | 23 | 25 | 35 || 114 ||
#5 ORL (0-3) | 18 | 27 | 38 | 24 || 107 ||

Player of the Game : Dwyane Wade

| 32 PTS | 8 REBS | 13 ASTS | 3 STLS | 1 BLKS | 10-19 FG | 1-4 3 PT FG | 11-12 FT



Rudy Gay : 18 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 8-19 FG, 0-6 3PT
Chris Bosh : 17 points, 11 rebounds, 8-15 FG
Serge Ibaka : 14 points, 12 rebounds, 9 blocks, 6-12 FG
James Jones : 9 points, 3 rebounds, 4-7 FG
Kyrie Irving : 9 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds



Shannon Brown : 25 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 6 steals, 9-20 FG, 3-9 3PT
Brook Lopez : 19 points, 15 rebounds, 2 blocks, 9-17 FG
Jameer Nelson : 18 points, 10 assists, 6-20 FG, 4-11 3PT
Rashard Lewis : 16 points, 6 rebounds, 7-18 FG
Michael Redd : 12 points
Brandon Bass : 10 points, 9 rebounds

Gay, Wade lead Miami to conference finals

The Magic played their best game of the series, including a 46-point third quarter, but they couldn't move the series back to Miami due to poor late execution, falling 119-116.

With 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Magic held a 101-92 lead and with no-one able to stop Brook Lopez inside, the Magic looked strong. But without a true PG on the floor, Lopez got the ball less and less. Serge Ibaka returned to control the paint after sitting most of the third with 4 fouls.

And Orlando ran out of Magic. The Heat would go on a 17-4 run to grab a 109-105 lead, with Jimmer Fredette making his only field goal, a deep three.

Orlando called a time-out and Rashard Lewis answered with two straight threes. Rudy Gay would answer with 7 straight points for the HEAT.

With 34 seconds left, the HEAT ran out as much of the clock as possible. They were holding a three-point lead and despite Gay's hot hand, Wade would call an iso to ice the game himself. With just 4 tics left on the shot clock, he turned the ball over, leaving Orlando with a chance.

Shannon Brown, who has turned into Orlando's closer, took the big shot for his team, but missed, making the fact that his foot was on the line, moot.

Kyrie Irving grabbed the rebound and threw the ball into the rafters as the clock ran out.

Rudy Gay scored 31 points, Dwyane Wade was decent with 25 points and 5 assists. Chris Bosh couldn't manage anything on either end. He had just 11 points on 3-14 shooting.

Brook Lopez averaged 27.8 points, 12.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in the series, showing the city of Orlando, that they have hope in the future.

Box Score

#1 MIA (4-0) | 35 | 19 | 38 | 27 || 119 ||
#5 ORL (0-4) | 26 | 27 | 46 | 17 || 116 ||

Player of the Game : Rudy Gay

| 31 PTS | 7 REBS | 3 ASTS | 0 STLS | 1 BLKS | 12-19 FG | 2-4 3 PT FG | 5-6 FT



Dwyane Wade : 25 points, 5 assists, 8-15 FG, 9-10 FT
Kyrie Irving : 20 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, 7-9 FG, 5-6 FT
Chris Bosh : 11 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 3-14 FG, 5-5 FT
Serge Ibaka : 10 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, 4-4 FG, 2-2 FT
Udonis Haslem : 6 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
Jimmer Fredette : 5 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists, 1-10 FG
James Jones : 4 points, 3 steals, 2 rebounds, 2 assists
Ben Wallace : 2 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks



Brook Lopez : 35 points, 8 rebounds, 13-18 FG, 9-9 FT
Shannon Brown : 19 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, 8-24 FG, 3-11 3PT
Michael Redd : 16 points, 4 assists, 7-20 FG, 2-10 3PT
Brandon Bass : 12 points, 12 rebounds, 3 steals, 6-6 FG
Rashard Lewis : 12 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 5-10 FG, 2-3 3PT
Jameer Nelson : 10 points, 10 assists, 3-15 FG, 0-7 3PT

46-38 third quarter? You are defying the norm of low-scoring, slow pace, defensive minded playoff games in this postseason for sure Grats on the advance

oh, and GO THIBS!!

Rest of the Playoff bracket?

Bulls beat Pacers 4-2

Game #6 key performers -

Derrick Rose - 24 points, 9 assists
Carlos Boozer - 22 points, 12 rebounds
Leo Lai - 10 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists

Lakers sweep Rockets

Game #4 key perfomers -

Andrew Bynum - 27 points, 10-16 FG
Pau Gasol - 22 points, 17 rebounds, 9 assists, 8-11 FG
Kobe Bryant - 22 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals

Mavericks beat Spurs 4-2

Game #6 key perfomers -

Caron Butler - 26 points, 5 rebounds
Jason Terry - 20 points, 7 assists
Dirk Nowitzki - 19 points, 9 rebounds
Jason Kidd - 16 points, 13 assists, 4 steals

I will face the Bulls and will adjust the sliders before the series. Top #2 defensive teams, shouldn't have 120-115 games in that series.

14 rebounds? Don't think I've ever grabbed that much before IRL
Looking forward to the Conference Finals man, may the best team win

Nice job making the conference finals. Lai's Bulls should make it a very interesting series.

Jimmer Fredette : 5 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists, 1-10 FG

Ladies and gentlemen, Jimmer Ferdette, the Heat's center of the future.

Dwyane Wade named Most Valuable Player

Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat won the Maurice Podoloff Trophy as the 2011-12 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award, it was announced tonight, 1 day ahead of game #1 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Heat and the Chicago Bulls.

Dwyane Wade stopped LeBron's James streak of 3 consecutive MVP trophies.

Dwyane Wade received 72 of the 121 first-place votes. Derrick Rose was the runner up, receiving 29 first place votes and LeBron James was third (14). Also receiving first-place votes were Kobe Bryant and Rajon Rondo, who finished 4th and 5th respectively.

In one of the best individual seasons by any player in NBA history, Wade averaged 26.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.5 blocks while shooting a career-best 55.7% from the field, which was third best in the league, a remarkable feat for a 6'4 guard.

Dwyane Wade led the HEAT to 66 wins, which was the best in the league and also the franchise record. He led the league in PER and true shooting percentage.

Wade was also named to the All-NBA First team and the All-Defensive First team.

Should've been my boy Rose
Nice photoshop though

That's not PS actually, this pic was taken when LeBron received his MVP. Not sure what Wade was doing.

That's not PS actually, this pic was taken when LeBron received his MVP. Not sure what Wade was doing.

lol I meant you photoshopping the "official" KIA MVP sign onto the pic...and Wade was probably thinking "should've been mine dammit"

Well deserved MVP for Wade.