2010-03-09 08:48:49 - On the Beat: Miami Heat

My colleague Israel Gutierrez is covering tonight's Heat game up in Charlotte, so there won't be a postgame blog until after Wednesday's game against the Clippers.

Instead, here's a pregame blog to get you ready for tonight's showdown.

There are a few issues to touch on before tonight's critical matchup with the Bobcats, who have basically owned the Heat this season and h...

2010-03-08 06:10:32 - Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

Each weekday morning, BDL serves up a handful of NBA-related stories to digest with your stuffed French toast. 

Ronald Tillery, Memphis Commercial Appeal: "[Michael Heisley]: If the right person makes a reasonable offer for the team I will sell it. If the minority (local) owners want to come up with a reasonable offer, I would love to s...

2010-03-06 21:21:05 - On the Beat: Miami Heat

Michael Beasley didn't get a wake-up call to emerge from his offensive slump. He received what could have been a knock-out blow from teammate Dwyane Wade on Saturday night.

"I didn't mean to hit him in the chest," Wade said of the blow he delivered during a heated Heat timeout in his last-ditch attempt to draw a spark from Beasley. "But he took it the way that he should have and ...

2010-03-04 21:57:33 - On the Beat: Miami Heat

Finally, the Heat got one. A big one. A really, big one.

Just when you think you're through with this team, tired of its inconsistent ways, ready to give up on the playoff push, waiting to see what's on tap during the summer makeover, Miami goes out and does something like this.

This, would be the 114-111 overtime victory against the defending champion Lakers on Thursday at AmericanAirli...

2010-03-04 10:30:04 - Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

Go easy, babycakes.

You knew 2009-10 wasn't going to matter. If you could highlight 2008-09, and cut and paste it into this season, that would have been just fine. You want to win, now, I'm sure, and aren't happy with the way things have gone so far.

It's understandable. A 30-31 record with one of the game's best players on hand for 57 of the 61 contests. Just one game up on the Charlo...

2010-03-02 20:12:25 - On the Beat: Miami Heat

The Heat certainly made this harder than it had to be.

But the most important thing Tuesday night is that Miami made it what it needed to be. A victory.

With its 110-106 escape of a severely depleted Golden State team at AmericanAirlines Arena, the Heat snapped a four-game losing streak and held onto the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference playoff mix. Miami (30-31) maintains a half-game lead o...

2010-03-01 09:37:18 - On the Beat: Miami Heat

We can be honest with one another, can't we?

So let's start here. The only certainly with this Miami Heat team is that there are no longer any certainties.

What once seemed to be a forgone conclusion that Michael Beasley would develop into a major star isn't that much of a lock any longer. 

What seemed almost a definite when it came to Dwyane Wade's long-term future in Miami is...

2010-02-28 15:03:16 - On the Beat: Miami Heat

ORLANDO - Heat guard Dwyane Wade will return to the lineup Sunday to starting against the Magic after missing the past four games with a strained left calf.

Wade was cleared by doctors and trainers this weekend and went through an extensive workout hours before Sunday's 7 p.m. tipoff at Amway Arena.

The Heat had gone 1-3 since Wade sustained the injury in the first quarter of the Heat's Feb. 17 ...

2010-02-27 17:15:48 - On the Beat: Miami Heat

The looks on their faces said it all Saturday. 

Heat owner Micky Arison left his courtside seat just moments before the final buzzer. He didn't stick around to hear the final chorus of "boos" from what was left of an already sparse crowd at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Heat president Pat Riley was long gone before the Milwaukee Bucks put the final touches on a 94-71 destruction of th...

2010-02-25 14:14:16 - On the Beat: Miami Heat

Since the start of training camp, coach Erik Spoelstra has focused on what he has and not what he lacks.

He has an around-the-clock work ethic that doesn't allow him to easily let go of disappointment and frustration. He doesn't have a lot of head coaching experience.

Spoelstra has a roster that includes a powerful presence in Dwyane Wade and the unlimited potential of Michael Beasley. Spo...