First Win for Heat Looks Vintage

Funny how just earlier today I was commenting on how the Heat are a Dwyane Wade away from starting their winning streaks. The Heat are right there and showing improvement each night out - tonight, they were able to get over the hump and preserve the win.

In hostile territory, but not against a real hostile team.

The Knicks are going to be up and down this season, too, as they have still to figure out that Marbury is overrated and they have no real consistent scoring threat from anyone. So a win today should be looked at with relief more than anything else.

Still, its a start.

Miami showed improvement, although still maintaining sloppy play. Lots of turnovers down the stretch let the Knicks back in the game, but their ability to persevere started to show.

And Wade watched and cheered from the sidelines.

It wasn't a pretty game, 16 turnovers a .438 FG% (.240 from 3 point range). The free throws were plentiful - for the Knicks (17 FTAs to only 9 FTAs for the Heat). Nevertheless, the Heat were able to overcome adversity and steal this win back.

Haslem had a huge double double (16 and 16) which offset fellow Gator alumnus David Lee's double double (14 and 14). Shaq is showing signs of durability and consistency, dropping another 16 points and 9 rebounds in 36 minutes of solid production.

Penny Hardaway continues to put is solid minutes. His scoring is not there, but he contributes in other ways - stealing minutes from Dorell Wright, of course.

All in all, a vintage looking win for the Heat as they overtake their once proud rivals in a game that harkened back to a mid-90's contest with the low scoring.