Heating Up on West Coast Trip

The Heat are in the middle of a 6 game, 12 day road trip. All seemed lost for the Heat as they started out this trip without Wade, Shaq, Posey, Walker AND Riley.

Then the Heat started winning.

Wade returned and the Heat snuck by Portland. Then they squeaked by the Sonics. A stop off in the Bay Area got the Heat a blowout win over the Warriors and then on the following night, tonight, the Heat streaked by the Jazz, whose notes were all flat tonight (sorry, couldn't resist).

That is 1, 2, 3, 4 wins in a row now. Wait a second! That is a winning streak? Gasp! The Heat are on a winning streak! Wow, imagine that! And not more than a few days ago, everyone was lamenting the Heat's season, sounding the death knell for the champs.

Well, it was too soon. What this proves is that the Heat are starting to get healthy, and starting to click. The champs have also added, essentially, the services of two new players to the mix - Jason "Kap'n" Kapono and Dorell Wright.

It also may prove, or at least suggest, that the West is not as strong as it is made out to be. But I digress - and certainly would incite inflammatory comments from our west coast readership (yeah right, like ANYONE actually reads this blog!!!).

But seriously, this is a great trend for the Heat. Their stock is rising, and they continue to win. Sure, these are games that they should be winning - Portland, Seattle, Golden State and now the Jazz all have a combined record of 71-80 or a .470 winning percentage. But the Heat were struggling with anybody and everybody.

Yet, there are signs that this offense is starting to take off. The Heat scored 118 against the Warriors on .529 FG% and .433 3pt%. Tonight, more of the same - .508 FG% and .565 3pt%. The Heat, ahem, are hot.

• Wade has 2 30+ point performances on this road trip, so far. Not bad for a tender wrist, which has been seeing a lot of action shooting baskets, both free throws and field goals.
• Kapono - yes, the Kap'n - has been a consistent outside scoring threat, shooting over 50% on the year from three and dropping 4 straight 18+ point barrages. And back to back games with 4 three pointers made. He is coming on strong as a starter, and is showing himself a worthy player for the rotation.
• Williams has not only played on back to back nights, but also is scoring double digits in three straight while being efficient from the field. Also, three straight games with 3 or more made three pointers.
• Four quarters scoring 30+ points in the last two game. The Heat are dropping buckets in a hurry - quicker than a janitor in a school cafeteria.

If the Heat are starting to get their offense together, and the outside shooting seems to be tightening up (even Walker has been efficient since his return, shooting 5-10 tonight and 5-8 last night, both games hitting on 3 three pointers), then it will only become more precise when Shaq returns.

In fact, this is something the rest of the East should take notice of, especially the Wizards and the Magic. They have been driving daddy's car while he has been away. Time to hand the keys back.