Warriors seeks halt to Heat’s 6-game winning streak on Friday night
- December 9th, 2010
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In their first seven NBA seasons, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade developed reputations as two of basketball’s best offensive weapons. Defense, though, has been the key to their success since joining forces on the Miami Heat. The Heat look to maintain their stifling defense Tuesday when the Minnesota Timberwolves come to town.
Miami (3-1) has not given up more than 88 points through four games of the season. They are allowing a league-low 80.8 points per game and have not allowed a field goal to an opposing starting power forward in the last two games.
After a shaky offensive start to the season, the superstar trio of James, Wade, and Chris Bosh is closing in on a successful balance. In Sunday’s 101-78 win over New Jersey, James led the way with 20 points while Bosh and Wade added 18 and 17 points respectively.
Michael Beasley will return to Miami after being traded by the Heat to the Timberwolves in the offseason. Beasley spent his first two seasons on the Heat after they made him the number two overall selection of the 2008 NBA Draft. He posted career highs of 14.8 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game last season and hoped to play alongside Wade, James, and Bosh. But now he is focused on helping the Timberwolves improve on a disastrous 2009-10 season, leading the way with a team-high 14.7 points per game average.
Beasley’s teammate Kevin Love will look to continue his strong start. The power forward is averaging 14 points per game and leads the team in rebounds at 14 per game. Even more impressive is that Love has put up such terrific stats in just 25 minutes per game.