Miami Heat: 5 Best Games Of The Season
By David Ramil
“Five” being the arbitrary number that it is (especially within the context of an 82-game season), there are bound to be a few good games that don’t quite make the cut, even in a season that has fallen far short of expectations.
Feb. 25, 2015 – Miami Heat @ Orlando – FINAL SCORE: 93-90, OT
After learning that Chris Bosh would miss the rest of the season due to blood clots in his lungs, Miami responded as well as can be expected, winning three of four games. Their last win during this stretch, against Orlando, was the sweetest of all, especially as a broken, depleted team was able to pull off a victory.
It began in the fourth quarter, when the Magic had a comfortable eight-point lead. Mario Chalmers connected on two free throws and, after a Nikola Vucevic point at the line, Dwyane Wade hit a shot to cut the lead to five with 29 seconds remaining. A Vucevic turnover led to this “explosion” by NBA D-League call-up, Henry Walker:
The Heat would hold on to force overtime, and then hold the Magic to just five points in the extra frame. It was a comeback victory the likes of which this team had been on the losing end of during this season. But, for one night, it was Miami’s turn.
March 16, 2015 – Cleveland Cavaliers @ Miami – FINAL SCORE: 116-92
This game represented the “resurgence” of Wade to a national audience. The Cavaliers had been on a hot streak for most of the month, and Wade – still trying to get into a groove after missing time due to a lingering hamstring injury – had been largely dismissed.
The third showdown of the season with Cleveland was a high-drama affair but many expected James to run roughshod over his old team.
Not quite, thanks to Wade and Company.
The Cavs – and fans watching on ESPN — were completely blindsided by Miami’s complete effort; at one point the Heat lead grew to 24. Wade seemed particularly spry, finishing the night with 32 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 5 steals. He seemed to even toy with Cleveland at times, pulling off one of the best highlights of the season:
Wade’s performance punctuated a six-game stretch where he averaged nearly 30 points per game and seemed likely to contend for the Eastern Conference 6th-seed. Even a playoff matchup with the Cavaliers seemed to favor Miami, who had a clear emotional edge over Cleveland.
Unfortunately, the Heat would go on to win just five of their next 14 games.
Next: No. 5 - Upsetting Royalty