November 5
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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After reviewing video Wednesday, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra downplayed his team's struggles against the Phoenix Suns' zone defense in Tuesday's home loss. "I don't want to overstate it, because some of the looks, as I re-watched the film this morning, we had six layup opportunities where even if we drill it endless amount of times, those are really the opportunities you want to get," he said before Wednesday's 93-89 victory over the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center. Spoelstra, in fact, said Phoenix's approach was somewhat flattering, even if Tuesday's result wasn't. "It's a different rhythm," he said. "We had been playing so well versus the man-to-man, and really it's the first ..."
November 5
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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There was a point early in Wednesday's fourth quarter, when Dwyane Wade normally goes to the bench, that he locked eyes with Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. "He pretty much nodded his head," Spoelstra said. The message was understood. Wade would play to the finish, play all 24 minutes of the second half on the second night of a back-to-back set that began with Tuesday's track meet against the Phoenix Suns. "This," Wade said after scoring 40 points in the 93-89 victory over the Washington Wizards, "is one of those games where you have to will your team to victory." And where there is a will and a Wade, there is a way. So even after the Heat blew all of a 19-point first-quarter lead, on a ..."
November 1
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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If first impressions mean anything, the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards should be feeling awfully good about the return of Kevin Garnett and Gilbert Arenas. Both players are coming back from serious knees injuries and both came out strong in season-opening victories last week. Garnett toiled 33 blue-collar minutes in Boston's victory at Cleveland, finishing with 13 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots. Arenas, showing his quickness and explosiveness of old, played 38 minutes in Washington's victory at Dallas and finished with 29 points and nine assists. If Garnett and Arenas both hold up, it will only enhance the reputation of Boston and Washington as elite teams in the ..."
October 31
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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You'll have to forgive Joe Johnson for not being able to remember the last time he sat the way he did Friday night and watched one of his teammates tote the load. It has been a while for the Hawks' captain, who sat for nearly 13 minutes in the second quarter of the Hawks' 100-89 win over Washington on Friday night at Philips Arena while sixth man Jamal Crawford stole the show. Crawford gave way in the second half to Josh Smith, who teamed up with Al Horford to control the rebounding on offense and defense while Marvin Williams warmed up before helping close the door on the Wizards in the fourth quarter. It's going to be this way for the Hawks this season, different guys carrying the load ..."