The Heat only shot 39.4% from the floor and got out-scored 55-30 in the second half, and you can’t win that way.  D-Wade had a rough game shooting (8 of 22 from the floor), but still scored 24 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and dished out 4 assists.  Shaq had 15 points & 10 rebounds, but he couldn’t stop Yao who scored 34 points & grabbed 14 rebounds!  Antoine Walker scored 13 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and dished out 4 assists.  Udonis Haslem only scored 6 points but grabbed 10 rebounds.

The Heat were flat and are now 3-3, and they suddenly are looking like an old, un-motivated team.

Shaquille O’Neal is starting to slow down a little bit, but he’s still a great basketball player.  He has problems staying healthy and sits out quite a few games.  He still is a great rebounder, a defensive force in the paint, and he’s still a scorer.  O’Neal averaged 20.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game last season.  For his career, Shaq has averaged 26.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.5 blocks per game over his career.  Shaq only shot 46.9% from the free-throw line and that needs to change.

Alonzo Mourning is the perfect back-up for Shaq.  Mourning averaged 7.8 points & 5.5 rebounds last season.  Mourning also blocked 173 shots last season.  For his career, Mourning has averaged 18.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.9 blocks per game.

Earl Barron looks like he’ll be the #3 center this season.  Barron hasn’t gotten much playing time so far as he has averaged only 1.6 points & 1.3 rebounds per game.

Michael Doleac is still around and he will provide depth deep on the roster.  Doleac has averaged 5.2 points & 3.5 rebounds per game over his career.

Many thought that Antoine Walker wouldn’t be able to fit in with the Miami Heat, but they were wrong.  Walker stopped with the selfish play of earlier in his career and became the perfect fit for the Heat and was a key contributor for the World Champions.  Antoine Walker is a good shooter, but not as good as he thinks he is.  Walker is also a good rebounder and scorer.  For his career, Walker has averaged 19.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

James Posey will be Walker’s back-up.  Posey is a good 3-point shooter and he’s a good defender.  Posey has averaged 9.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game for his career.  He plays alot and helps the team win.

Jason Kapano is the #3 small forward, and he’s the best shooter of the bunch.  Kapano has hit 41.9% of his career 3-pointers which is outstanding.   Kapano has averaged 6.0 points & 1.7 rebounds per game over his career.

The starting five for the Heat wouldn’t let them lose to the Nets as they scored 106 points by themselves.  Dwyane Wade led the way as usual with 34 points, 5 rebounds and 10 assists.  Udonis Haslem had a awesome game with 28 points & 9 rebounds.  Gary Payton scored 16 points and dished out 5 assists.  Antoine Walker also had a real good game with 15 points & 10 rebounds.  Shaq didn’t do a whole lot with 13 points & 6 rebounds.

This was a big win for the Heat who move to 3-2 on the season.

The Heat only shot 39.7% from the floor as a team and were without Shaquille O’Neal, but they gutted out a needed win over the Sonics.  Dwyane Wade had a rough night shooting the ball, but he still scored 31 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, dished out 6 assists, stole the ball twice and blocked 3 shots.  Alonzo Mourning started in Shaq’s place and had a solid game with 13 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocked shots.  Antoine Walker (12 points, 6 rebounds) and Udonis Haslem (11 points, 8 rebounds) each did their part in helping the Heat win.

The Heat is looking a little slow and tired on the court.  They need to step it up a little bit.