October 31
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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It wasn't exactly the Indy 500. But the Miami Heat's 17 consecutive losses at Conseco Fieldhouse certainly felt like triple-digit misery. Now? Now there is a one-game winning streak in Indiana, with Friday's 96-83 victory over the Indiana Pacers. "It was gratifying," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "To have this feeling here hasn't happened very often for us." After 14 consecutive regular-season losses in Conseco, with three more in the playoffs, the Heat finds itself with its first 2-0 start to a season since it went 4-0 to open 2004-05. Both victim and former victimizer contributed for the Heat. Guard Dwyane Wade, who had lost all 11 of his previous Conseco visits, led the Heat with 32 ..."
October 30
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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If not now, then when? If not after coming off a 22-point season-opening win with virtually everyone in the rotation contributing, then when? If not against a team that looked miserable in its own season opener, then when? The last time the Miami Heat won a game at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Rod Strickland was starting at point guard, Jim Jackson at small forward and Vladimir Stepania was coming off the bench. That was on Dec. 31, 2001. Since then, the Heat has lost 14 in a row in Indiana, 17 in a row when counting the postseason. "It's a hurdle we've got to get over one day," said guard Dwyane Wade, with the Heat's first road stop of the season coming Friday night at Conseco. ..."
October 29
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Al Horford isn't ready to make any bold proclamations after just one game. But if the effort he and Josh Smith turned in during the Hawks' season-opening 120-109 win over Indiana is any indication, things could get really interesting at Philips Arena this season on the nights when they play their two-man game. They dominated the paint on both ends of the floor for long stretches, making sure the Hawks delivered what a boisterous crowd of 17,998 expected. "It's just the first game," Horford said smiling. "We can't make too many judgments. But we are trying to make an effort to play better and we needed to shut them down inside and we did a good job of that when it mattered late." It was ..."