Career Night by Wade in Loss to Magic

A shorthanded Miami Heat lost to the Orlando Magic 121-114 in OT. First off, let's get this clear: Dwyane Wade alone nearly beat the Orlando Magic tonight. His performance made him look like the best player in the NBA right now, even if it hasn't looked like it this past month.

Wade scored 48 points (20 in the 4th quarter), nearly shot a ridiculous 80% from the field (16/21) and also had 22 FT attempts. All this in regulation as he didn't get a shot off in OT. Without him, this game isn't even close.

An interesting stat that Sunsports provided was that Wade averages 19 points a 2nd half, which would extrapolate to a ridiculous 38PPG. No surprise there as Dwyane usually turns it on in the 2nd half. Luckily, tonight he got some help offensively from what was left of this roster. Dorell contributed all over the floor and Haslem and Davis both put in 17 points.

However, Davis rushed a bad shot with the lead late in the 4th and the Heat simply collapsed towards the end in every way imaginable. This team really does find new ways to lose. It can't continue because you are not only wasting a great Wade performance, but also making him expend a tremendous amount of energy to no avail.

If this game proves anything it proves that this team is still not good. They needed an otherworldly performance by Dwyane Wade to stay in the game, something you simply can't count on every night. Somehow their defense fell apart after an early start to the season where they were in the top 5. I'm beginning to wonder if Wade's presence isn't at fault and that the players relax a bit knowing that he is on the floor. Wade himself isn't the best on the ball defender and takes too many chances, but overall team defense needs to improve.

By the way... 1) Dwight Howard is a monster with 29 points and 21 boards, and 2) Daequan Cook never went to college. I'm going to have to ignore that this kid went to Ohio State cause he is just too good. An absolute clutch 3 to tie in regulation and 5 more points in the overtime to tie it with about a minute left. He's got confidence, I'll tell you that.

Just another demoralizing loss for the Heat. I'd rather get blown out than lose a seesaw game like this. Wade played another 51 minutes and has to play tomorrow night as well. I don't like the way we are running up the mileage on his career for a season that is all but lost at this point.