The Post Up: Beasley Breaks The Warriors

by Holly MacKenzie

Oh boy. What can I really say here today? For anyone who saw the late game between Miami and Golden State last night, I’m sure you can imagine my feelings. Amazing game for Heat fans, fantastic grit by your guys, and what a nice finish to that game for Beasley.

I was so happy for him, getting his team the win with hustle and heart. In the article Mutoni linked to yesterday with him saying he would be the sixth, seventh or eighth man off of the bench if needed, I was happy to see him talking the talk. Last night, he proved that he meant it and will do whatever is needed to get that W.

Now, for the Warriors. My goodness. It’s tough to root for a team that struggles like this. I’ve been spoiled with the Lakers. Even when they struggle, you know where they are headed. With this Warriors squad, I don’t have a clue what to expect game in and game out, I don’t understand the roster moves and contract situations and I dont like that feeling of not knowing.

Not when it comes to my team.

Last night was a heartbreaker. I felt gutted. Great debut in the Bay for Jamal with 40. And we move All-Star?on.

Boston was great as always, last night. In the third when PP started to take over, dropping in 17 for the period, it just looked too easy. Effortless for him. Rajon Rondo is quickly becoming one of my favorite young players to watch. So quick with the ball, so quick with his decision-making, he is tough to stop.

I don’t know about that technical on Perk late in the game. I feel like the officials know that he is leading the league in tech’s and they may be a bit too quick to T him up sometimes. While he definitely does deserve the majority of the technical fouls that he is assessed, last night seemed a little bit excessive to me.

Raymond Felton with 14 points and 14 assists in the Bobcats victory over the T-Wolves. I love lines like that.

Who would have thought that the addition of Chauncey Billups would suddenly make the Nuggets a must-see team? It’s true.

A match made in heaven that came out of nowhere.

Also, you realize that Nene is leading the league in field goal percentage? It’s wonderful to see him healthy and getting back to where he left off last year.

Boston 107 Orlando 88

In what was a match up between two of the heavyweights in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics left no doubt about who owns the East. Defeating the Magic 107-88 last night, the Celtics found a way to hold off Dwight Howard and force the rest of the Magic to beat them. They were unable to complete the challenge. While Rashard Lewis scored a game-high 30 points for the Magic, he was still one-upped by Paul Pierce when it mattered as Pierce scored 17 of his 24 points in the third quarter to keep Orlando at bay. Without Jameer Nelson and Mickael Pietrus and with a Dwight who was struggling to score from the floor, the Magic were no match for Boston. Rajon Rondo scored 16 points to go with 12 assists as Ray Allen added 21 points. Howard finished with 14 points, 15 rebounds and 4 blocked shots for the Magic, while Hedo Turkoglu added 19.

Charlotte 100 Minnesota 90

With the Bobcats looking to continue their strong play as of late, the Timberwolves were the ideal opponent as Charlotte defeated them with ease, taking them down 100-90 to grab their third win in five games. With Al Jefferson struggling and scoring only eight points on the night the Timberwolves were at a loss offensively and were unable to put points on the board late in the fourth to cut the deficit. Just as important as the win for the Bobcats, was the continued strong play from Jason Richardson who had missed games earlier this season with knee issues. Richardson scored 25 points in the contest, shooting 11-18 from the floor. Emeka Okafor scored 24 points while grabbing 10 rebounds and blocking 5 shots and Raymond Felton scored 14 points to go with 14 assists. The TWolves were led by Ryan Gomes and his 16 points while Mike Miller scored 19 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.

Miami 130 Golden State 129 OT

In what was a win to remember for the Heat and a heartbreaker of a loss for the Warriors, Miami defeated Golden State 130-129 in overtime last night as Jamal Crawford was sensational in his home-debut with his new team. While Crawford scored 40 points on the night, Dwyane Wade dropped in 37 (to go along with 13 assists), but it was rookie Michael Beasley who stole the show –and the game- for Golden State. With the Warriors in-bounding the ball with the game tied, Beasley steals the ball, takes it to the hoop and after first getting denied by Andris Biedrins, goes up again, getting fouled. At the line with 3.2 seconds remaining in the game, Beasley nailed one of two free throws and after a last second drive by Crawford rolled all around the rim before dropping out, the Heat had the victory. While Beasley had 19 points off of the bench, Shawn Marion scored 21 points to go with 15 rebounds while Udonis Haslem also scored 21 and grabbed 13 rebounds as the Heat outrebounded Golden State 51-36. Besides Jamal’s big night, Corey Maggette scored 29 points as Andris Biedrins had 17 points and 15 rebounds and Stephen Jackson added 11 assists.