The Miami Heat outscored the Pacers 58-32 in the first and third quarters in this game and they held the Pacers to 36.7% shooting from the floor in this game which were the two big reasons for this win. Dwyane Wade led the way for the Heat in this game with 32 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. Jermaine O’Neal was a beast in the paint against his old team with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Michael Beasley was effective tonight with 12 points, 9 rebounds and 2 steals. Udonis Haslem got a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds) in only 29 minutes off the bench. The Heat improve to 2-0 on the year with this win.

The Heat smoked the Knicks 34-15 in the third quarter and that pretty much sealed this game for them. The Heat shot 56.6% from the floor while holding the Knicks to 37.9% shooting from the floor which helps explain the final score. Dwyane Wade led the way as usual for the Heat tonight with 26 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. Jermaine O’Neal was a beast in the paint as he finished with 22 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists. Michael Beasley was also very effective finishing with 21 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals. The Heat were very impressive tonight and they are now 1-0 on the season.

This is a very tough call on the Heat. To take the over you have to be confident that both Dwyane Wade and Jermaine O’Neal will stay healthy all season long. With that in mind I would have to take the under with the Miami Heat but I wouldn’t make a big bet on it.

Last year was Erik Spoelstra’s first as a head coach in the NBA and he showed that he was more than capable of doing a great job. He led the Heat to a 43-39 record (52.4%) during the regular season. Spoelstra is also 3-4 (42.9%) in the playoffs. The Heat are looking towards making the next step this season and getting into at least the 2nd round of the playoffs and I think Spoelstra can get them there.

31-year old Jermaine O’Neal will be the starting center for the Heat this season. He played in 68 games for the Raptors and Heat last season in which he averaged 29.8 minutes, 13.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 2.0 blocked shots per game. O’Neal will improve on those numbers if healthy this season. Think 15 points and 9 rebounds per game as he is way too talented to put up similar numbers to what he had last year. 31-year old Jamaal Magloire was a All-Star just a few seasons ago and he will back up O’Neal. He played in 55 games for the Heat last season and he averaged 12.9 minutes, 2.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. 27-year old Joel Anthony’s game is defense and rebounding. He played in 65 games for the Heat last season and he averaged 16.1 minutes, 2.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 0.4 assists and 1.4 blocked shots per game. Udonis Haslem could also get some playing time at center when the Heat want to go with a small lineup.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CENTERS IN 2009-2010: B