A two-game night

Remember all the basketball movies you've seen ? All the cartoons - kangoo juniors and others ? Well, it happened in real life this night ! Let me explain this:

two rival franchises, one state. Miami was hosting Orlando for a rematch of Oct, 29.  A final score of 96-70 for Miami at the time, with a huge 28-10 third quarter.  But yesterday, sell-out crowd and interesting match-ups were programmed. Through the first 24 minutes, everything was going well for the Heat, which its two star-players combined for 47 points. For the first half only. 

But right after going back to the locker-room with a 18-point deficit, the Magic decided to change its game plans: "Dwight, thanks a lot, but we are down 18, previously 24, and we need something to go on". Here what we can imagine SVG said to his superstar. Orlando hit 9 3-pointers in the second half, working both inside and outside. J-Rich caught fire and hit 6 of 8 from long distance, during a key 38-9 run for the Magic ! Gilbert Arenas had his glory time, playing 15 minutes and scoring 11 points. 

The last 20 seconds of the game were absolutely revealing. Orlando was up by 3, LBJ carrying the ball and Wade waiting on the outside. While the Magic double-teamed James, he just passed the ball to Dwyane Wade, who got the foul and made both free-throws. 9" to go, JJ Redick was fouled and made both free-throws. Then, it became interesting to watch. We know that King James was 0-3 in game winners. The time-out drawed play ended up in the hand of Chris Bosh (!) who couldn't convert the three. But Mike Miller tipped it to James, alone behind the 3-point line. And... it was another miss for James, who couldn't make it. Let's just say your an horrible clutch shooter this year. Please, coach Spoelstra, give those balls to Wade now. The Heat two stars' second half ? 10 points combined.

We all know that the regular season does not mean a lot. But we have to consider the toll of Miami. And we have to admit that they are not looking good for close playoffs games. A second round Chicago vs. Miami ? I'd take Chicago. Boston vs. Miami ? I'd take Boston. And what about Orlando ? The run to the Finals will be very long.

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At the same time, two West teams were also facing. Two teams with a similar story: both lost their franchise-player just before the trade deadline. Utah was hosting Denver, and the post trade toll is good for one and bad for the other. Denver was 4-1 while Utah was 1-3. And Utah just got out of the Playoffs run, two games up of the .500 record. Nothing "bizarre" during this game, (Denver won it 103-101 just a remark: Denver is a better team without Melo. You want proofs ?

Nuggets efficiency & assist rate:

 

Span	Off. Eff.	Def. Eff.	Ast/FG
Pre-'Melo trade	109.7	107.2	0.560
Post-'Melo trade	109.0	93.8	0.648

 

Off. Eff. = Points scored per 100 possessions
Def. Eff. = Points allowed per 100 possessions

Jb - Posterdunk