Miami Thrice comes to The Hive and gets stung.
by Allen Powell II
PREGAME
The Hornets have shocked everybody in the NBA and New Orleans by going undefeated in their first four games and the feat has been even more impressive because the team has beaten multiple playoff teams.
But, LeBron and Co. aren’t your average playoff contenders and they’ve been thumping talented teams the past few weeks. Hornets Coach Monty Williams said that as crazy as it may sound, his team wasn’t going to do anything different to combat the Heat. For the Hornets, given their talent gap, top-notch effort is a must against any team.
“We’re a team that always has to give the same effort,” Williams said.
Man, it’s crazy how fans hate LeBron. The boobirds are merciless when he gets introduced. People, he shafted Cleveland not the entire NBA.
FIRST QUARTER
Hornets start with Chris Paul, Trevor Ariza, Marco Belinelli, Emeka Okafor and David West. Miami comes out Bron, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Carlos Arroyo and Joel Anthony.
Miami is posting LeBron and Bosh early trying to get a feel for how the Hornets are going to play them.
West picks up his second foul at 9:06 after three straight isos on Bosh. In comes Jason Smith, who had a good game against the Rockets.
Great ball movement by the Hornets leads to a three for Ariza, and a 9-2 lead. The crowd is really into this game, booing LeBron and the refs constantly.
Chris Paul crosses Arroyo, splits the double team, and then sets up Okafor with an alley-oop like he had on a Tyson Chandler mask. Hornets are up 14-4.
Chris Paul is really good. That needed to be noted at this point.
The Hornets offense consists of a steady diet of Chris Paul pick and roll. Pregame, Monty Williams called Paul the best pick and roll guard of his generation. Thoughts?
Joel Anthony didn’t read the scouting report. Jason Smith shoots jumpers. That’s what he does, and what he’s always done.
No joke, the Heat look horrible on both ends right now. They aren’t getting stops and their offense resembles something you see from strangers at the YMCA.
First quarter ends with the Hornets up 29-17.
SECOND QUARTER
Second quarter begins with the Bron and random role players lineup. I guess we could dub it the “Cleveland Special.” Hornets have four bench players and Ariza on the court.
Jason Smith with a pretty put back, and the foul. Dude has been a revelation so far, which makes it even stranger that he couldn’t get any tick in Philly.
Big Z has two jumpers early off passes from LeBron. Bron is finding wide open shooters off his on action. It looks just like Cleveland.
Hornets need to talk after the Heat cut the lead to seven with 9:07 in the quarter.
Hornets debut a spoof of “The Decision.” That seems to be popular these days.
Back to live action and Mbenga gets a free facial from Haslem. You’re welcome sir.
Wade checks back in at 7:04 and Bron sits. Apparently when the Heat struggle it’s easier for Erik Spoelstra to play LeBron and Wade separately.
It’s amazing how much smoother the Hornets’ offense runs with Chris Paul in the game.
Chris Bosh has not gotten to the rim yet. Pretty sure the Heat weren’t looking for a $14 million mid-range shooter when they signed him. He has two points and one rebound.
Marco Belinelli cannot guard Dwyane Wade. This should surprise no one.
The Hornets lead is only four with 2:43 to play, 41-37.
Arroyo misses a wide open jumper then falls victim to a Chris Paul “Euro step” on the other end. Another fast break and the Heat push the lead back up to nine points, 46-37.
Wade and Paul match up for the Hornets’ last shot of the half. Pretty crossover and drive by CP3, better block by Wade with one second on the shot clock.
The half ends with the Hornets ahead 50-41.
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