ducks
02-11-2006, 07:31 PM
Heat seek turnaround against Pistons
By STEVEN WINE, AP Sports Writer
February 11, 2006
MIAMI (AP) -- Practice had just ended for the Miami Heat, and as forward Antoine Walker discussed their woeful record against the NBA's elite, Shaquille O'Neal quietly came up from behind and began pouring water onto the back of his teammate's neck.
Walker stood up with a jolt, and O'Neal flashed his trademark grin -- a sign there's life left in the Heat.
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One might wonder after their most recent game, a 112-76 meltdown Thursday at Dallas. The Heat's most lopsided loss this season left them 0-7 against the league's four top teams, magnifying the importance of Sunday's home game against the Detroit Pistons.
"We have the best team in the league coming in here," O'Neal said Saturday. "We have to do everything right, especially in our building. It's going to be an exciting place Sunday, and we look forward to stepping up to the challenge."BULL SHIT SPURS ARE CHAMPS TELL PROVEN OTHERWISE
That would be a breakthrough, because such challenges have typically brought out the worst in the Heat. They have 0-2 records against Dallas, Phoenix and San Antonio -- the best of the West -- and lost their only previous game against the Pistons in December.
Miami is 1-9 versus the other division leaders, with the only win over New Jersey in the first week of the season.
"It's a little bit discouraging, but it's something we can't dwell on," O'Neal said. "We have to realize guys are going to play way above their heads when they play us. We have to find a way to match their effort."
The Heat lead the Southeast Division at 30-20, but they've seldom played like the potential title contenders they were touted to be when the season began.
Miami was eliminated by Detroit in last year's Eastern Conference finals, and many envision the playoffs going the same way again -- if the Heat advance that far.
"We haven't played very well against the top teams in the league, and everybody believes they know what's going to happen to us come April," Walker said. "Sunday is a big game for our confidence -- to get a win against a quality team."
A victory over Detroit would indeed be noteworthy. Despite a two-game losing streak earlier this month, the Pistons are off to their best start ever and have the NBA's best record at 41-8.
They expect a strong effort from the Heat.
"We know it's going to be a playoff atmosphere," Detroit's Rasheed Wallace said. "We only played them once, and we can't sit here and brag and have a chip on our shoulder like, 'We put them out last year and we beat them early this year.' Because you can be beat on any given night in this league."
As the Heat prepared for Detroit, the Dallas disaster was still on their minds. Miami committed 19 turnovers and looked awful on defense, struggling to keep up with the Mavericks in the half court.
"We got killed," Walker said. "We have to improve against the good teams. We're very frustrated with it. On Sunday we get a chance to correct that."
The Heat went through a major roster shakeup last offseason, then lost O'Neal for 18 games because of a sprained ankle and changed coaches in December when Pat Riley replaced Stan Van Gundy. Guard Jason Williams has battled injuries all season, and now center Alonzo Mourning is recovering from the flu, leaving his availability Sunday in question.
O'Neal believes the Heat have another gear and will soon shift into it.
"It's a long season," he said. "We know what we have to do. We just have to go out and do it and stop talking about it."
Beginning Tuesday, only two of the Heat's next 16 opponents are above .500. Such a soft stretch may help them pad their record, but to prove they can beat the elite, they need a win Sunday.
AP Sports Writer Travis Reed in Orlando contributed to this report.
By STEVEN WINE, AP Sports Writer
February 11, 2006
MIAMI (AP) -- Practice had just ended for the Miami Heat, and as forward Antoine Walker discussed their woeful record against the NBA's elite, Shaquille O'Neal quietly came up from behind and began pouring water onto the back of his teammate's neck.
Walker stood up with a jolt, and O'Neal flashed his trademark grin -- a sign there's life left in the Heat.
ADVERTISEMENT
One might wonder after their most recent game, a 112-76 meltdown Thursday at Dallas. The Heat's most lopsided loss this season left them 0-7 against the league's four top teams, magnifying the importance of Sunday's home game against the Detroit Pistons.
"We have the best team in the league coming in here," O'Neal said Saturday. "We have to do everything right, especially in our building. It's going to be an exciting place Sunday, and we look forward to stepping up to the challenge."BULL SHIT SPURS ARE CHAMPS TELL PROVEN OTHERWISE
That would be a breakthrough, because such challenges have typically brought out the worst in the Heat. They have 0-2 records against Dallas, Phoenix and San Antonio -- the best of the West -- and lost their only previous game against the Pistons in December.
Miami is 1-9 versus the other division leaders, with the only win over New Jersey in the first week of the season.
"It's a little bit discouraging, but it's something we can't dwell on," O'Neal said. "We have to realize guys are going to play way above their heads when they play us. We have to find a way to match their effort."
The Heat lead the Southeast Division at 30-20, but they've seldom played like the potential title contenders they were touted to be when the season began.
Miami was eliminated by Detroit in last year's Eastern Conference finals, and many envision the playoffs going the same way again -- if the Heat advance that far.
"We haven't played very well against the top teams in the league, and everybody believes they know what's going to happen to us come April," Walker said. "Sunday is a big game for our confidence -- to get a win against a quality team."
A victory over Detroit would indeed be noteworthy. Despite a two-game losing streak earlier this month, the Pistons are off to their best start ever and have the NBA's best record at 41-8.
They expect a strong effort from the Heat.
"We know it's going to be a playoff atmosphere," Detroit's Rasheed Wallace said. "We only played them once, and we can't sit here and brag and have a chip on our shoulder like, 'We put them out last year and we beat them early this year.' Because you can be beat on any given night in this league."
As the Heat prepared for Detroit, the Dallas disaster was still on their minds. Miami committed 19 turnovers and looked awful on defense, struggling to keep up with the Mavericks in the half court.
"We got killed," Walker said. "We have to improve against the good teams. We're very frustrated with it. On Sunday we get a chance to correct that."
The Heat went through a major roster shakeup last offseason, then lost O'Neal for 18 games because of a sprained ankle and changed coaches in December when Pat Riley replaced Stan Van Gundy. Guard Jason Williams has battled injuries all season, and now center Alonzo Mourning is recovering from the flu, leaving his availability Sunday in question.
O'Neal believes the Heat have another gear and will soon shift into it.
"It's a long season," he said. "We know what we have to do. We just have to go out and do it and stop talking about it."
Beginning Tuesday, only two of the Heat's next 16 opponents are above .500. Such a soft stretch may help them pad their record, but to prove they can beat the elite, they need a win Sunday.
AP Sports Writer Travis Reed in Orlando contributed to this report.