To be a successful team in the NBA you have to have team-first players like Udonis Haslem. The power forward was taken out of the Heat’s starting lineup at the beginning of the season and is giving his club great production off the bench.
“I didn’t understand it, and I wasn’t 100 percent in agreement with it,” Haslem told the Miami Herald about his role change.
Coming off the bench isn’t the only sacrifice the glue guy is making. He’s guarding opposing small forwards because Michael Beasley can’t keep up with the athletic wing players.
Haslem along with Carlos Arroyo and Daequan Cook bring energy and matchup problems for opposing teams. And if there’s any drop off, Dwyane Wade is able to pick up the slack, like he did Tuesday night against the Wizards.
Wade scored 14 of his game-high 41 points in the fourth quarter, helping the Heat pull away.
“It’s not something he says; he’s more of a do-er,” SF Quentin Richardson said after the game. “He just goes out and starts getting it done.”
Expect Wade and Co. to get it done Thursday against the Cavaliers.
Pick: Miami
Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers (-7.5, 218)
The Purple and Gold are fighting through multiple injuries, but you wouldn’t know it by checking out the standings. Los Angeles is 6-1 straight up and 2-0 against the spread over its last two games.
The club hasn’t played since embarrassing the New Orleans Hornets Sunday night. The extra time off means starting center Andrew Bynum should be back in the lineup for Thursday’s game against the Phoenix Suns.
Meanwhile All-Star power forward Pau Gasol is not expected to suit up. The big man is yet to play this season because of a lingering hamstring injury.
The Suns are running on empty after a busy start to the season. The extra rest should be enough to help push LA past Phoenix.
Pick n Roll 11/12
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