A sigh of relief can be heard from the Heat faithful nowadays. Why?
Defensive intensity is starting to return to fashion for this team. Most especially, perimeter defense.
Shandon Anderson was out for most of the season with lower back spasms. He couldn't seem to get healthy enough to work his way back off the Heat bench. The Heat were in desperate need of another perimeter defender as James Posey seemed to be the only player capable of defending a slasher on the wing. Of course, such a dilemma could only mean more penetration against the Heat and foul trouble for Shaq at the pivot. Witness the January 6th game against Phoenix.Anderson played then, for 30 painful minutes. In fact, he had some activity on the floor during spurts in December and even for a few game in early January, but since Feb. 2nd, it seems his return is permanent. And he doesn't look likely to go anywhere else except deep into the playoffs with the Heat.
Over his last five games, he is averaging 14.7 minutes and getting 5.0 points per game on 62.5 FG% and even grabbing 2.2 rebounds during is minutes. Highly efficient from the field, he is also helping the Heat defense force opponents into becoming much less efficient on their scoring chances, too.
Coming into last night's game, Paul Pierce was on fire. He has had two straight 30+ point performances (37 and 39) and was shooting over 50% in both games. He was able to get 38 against the Heat, but he was more human (10-22 45%) in his performance. He even shot 2-6 from 3 point range and got a bulk of his points from the free throw line, 16 (16-18). Mr. Anderson had a say in that, but also put on a little offensive show of his own. Playing his second highest minute total on the season (23:07), he was able to score 15 points on 71% shooting (5-7) while grabbing 6 rebounds and 1 assist.
Ever since the embarrassing loss to Dallas on February 9th, the Heat have won 7 straight. Anderson has seen his share of minutes during that span, getting over 11 minutes in each contest - each team presenting its share of perimeter threats: Ray Allen (6-20), Morris Peterson (7-16) and Mike James (10-19), Stephon Marbury (2-11), Jamal Crawford (3-8), Jalen Rose (2-8) and Quentin Richardson (6-11), Rip Hamilton (10-17), Tashaun Prince (2-12) and Chauncey Billups (10-20).
Every one Anderson has seen and in his limited minutes and has given the Heat a defensive boost on the perimeter that has helped push them over the top onto the 7 game win streak.
Perhaps this was the little spark that the Heat needed.