this will undoubtably be a much tougher game than phoenix with a very different style of play to contend with...

melo has been red hot, and looking strong, but so does wade...

the good news is we are playing at home with a day's worth of rest, bad news is theyre pretty damn good and theres a chance that we will be without chalmers come tip off time...

how do you guys feel about this game? odds of winning? what do we need to pull off the upset?

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Micheal Beasley and Jermaine O'Neal stepping up when pit against Chris Anderson. Quentin Richardson is finally showing what's he capable of. Put a good defender on Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony. Dwyane Wade being Dwyane Wade. Hoping Carlos Arroyo will not make bad decisions (PHX vs MIA).

J.R Smith's suspension is over now. His first game is @ Miami.
It wont be easy but its not impossible.. We just need to play good D and shoot over 50%.

You are right Denver and melo have been on a tear. stopping there undefeated streak, could really increase Miami's momentum and swagger. It won't be easy though.

Denver has owned Miami the last 4-5 years.Friday might be no different.I hope i'm wrong.

heat will win !! i can feel it !

If Jermaine removes the Headband and Beasley removes the braids, i think we'll be good too

miami will win and the nuggets will lose their first game of the season on a jumper by quentin or beez

My predicitions regarding the X Factors of this game for each team is as follows:


Miami: the BENCH:

If the BENCH can contribute ~~ not outplay, out-score, or dominate ~~ but make a decent contribution in scoring and rebounding when Wade is out of the game, then I think we'd be in good shape to give the Nuggs their first L of the season. But of course thats seriously easier said than done...

Denver: Ty Lawson.

Denver got the steal of the draft IMHO. They lost Klieza and Jones, but picked up freakin TY LAWSON and signed Aaron Afflalo (who is also a solid player). But whats going to give Denver the advantage is Ty Lawson's contribution. If he can some off the bench and spark the offense and speed up the tempo like hes been doing, (while droppin 17+ points in the process) then Denver will win this game hands down...


UGH!! AND I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THIS GAME!! SOMEBODY GIVE ME YOUR DVR OR TIVO!!! LOL.

Hmm Idk the nuggets always seem to have our number. But I dont see melo going for 40 this game maybe 32 at the most. I think K-mart and billups are going to pick us apart though

I really hope Cook comes back for this game. And as far as Chalmers, if he misses time, it'll suck because we'll lose depth at our weakest position, but it could be a blessing in disguise. Arroyo is probably worse than Chalmers on D (which is saying a lot) but at least he's not a liability on offense. So losing Chalmers for a game might be a blessing in disguise to where Arroyo can prove himself and earn more rotation minutes. Because I think right now Spo is really afraid to play him over Chalmers and I have no idea why.

As for keys to the game:

I think our offense has to be clicking for us to win this game. Obviously we're going to have to stop them from scoring easily, but without dependable offensive production, I can't see us winning. Denver is a high powered offense just like the Suns, but the difference is, if we play as terrible offensively against Denver as we did against the Suns, the game won't even be close.

Q-Rich is also going to have to be on his game defensively to slow down Melo, because is wilderbeasting right now. Wade obviously will need a big game as well.

Here's to hoping Denver is missing shots tomorrow night and to Wade dropping 50 on Carmelo's domepiece

Does anyone think that Chalmers will be able to defend Billups better then he defended Nash?

quote:

Originally posted by WADE III:
Does anyone think that Chalmers will be able to defend Billups better then he defended Nash?

In one word....No. PGs have have field days on us and I dont think it will change with Billups.

This will be the real defensive test for this Heat team. Denver are a top 5 team in the league and one of the best offensive teams. Unlike Miami where only Wade can put up 25 or more points, they have a number of players who can do it (reffering to Melo, Chanucey, J.R...) And of course Nene, K-Mart, Lawson who are also very good offensivly.

I really can't see us winning this game, but hey... you know what they say. the NBA where amazing happens.

Billups is going to tear us apart.