Miami Heat recap

Shane McCrink, Staff Writer
November 8, 2013

On October 29th,  the Miami Heat opened their 2013-2014 season against the Chicago Bulls with a 107-95 victory.

With the return of the Big Three and new additions like Roger Mason, Greg Oden and Michael Beasley, the Miami Heat look to win their third NBA title in a row. After defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games in 2012 and the San Antonio Spurs in seven games in 2013, it seems as if third should come with ease.

The journey will not be easy, as many teams in the Eastern Conference have recently improved. The return of Derrick Rose could boost the Bulls back to a 60 plus winning season, reflecting their 2011 season.  With the return of Danny Granger and new players such as Luis Scola added to their bench, the Pacers will be a force to be reckoned with.

In the Heat’s opening game, the team looked like they were already in mid-season after shutting down the Chicago Bulls and MVP candidate Derrick Rose, holding him to 4 for 15 shooting, while forcing 18 turnovers.

In game number three, Miami faced the young gun Philadelphia 76ers led by rookie Michael Carter-Williams.  The Heat exhausted from playing on back to back nights got behind 19-0 early, eventually coming back losing another close one 114-110. LeBron James finished with 25 points, four rebounds and 13 assists in the losing effort. Michael Carter-Williams led the Sixers with 22 points, seven rebounds, 12 assists and nine steals.

In their second game against the new look Brooklyn Nets, the Heat struggled early and came back only losing by one point, 101-100.  LeBron James finished with 26 points.

In Games four and five, the Heat got back to their winning ways with a 103-93 win over the Wizards and a 104-95 victory over the Toronto Raptors.  The Heat forced a combined 31 turnovers in the two wins.

Heat fans should not be worried because there is plenty of season left and it takes time to get back to championship level basketball. By April, the Heat should be back in full swing in the quest for title number four and three in the last three seasons.