Tune in at 10:30 PM ET as the Heat take on the Clippers. Jason Buccheri will be liveblogging for your enjoyment.
Good evening everyone, welcome to the ScoreMobile. We've got a sweet game lined up here tonight as the Miami Heat travel to LA to play the Clippers. Please feel free to join in on during the breaks, I'll post all comments that add something fruitful to the discussions.
Starting Lineups:
MIAMI HEAT (6-2)
31 Shane Battier SF
3 Dwyane Wade SG
6 LeBron James SF
1 Chris Bosh C
15 Mario Chalmers PG
LA CLIPPERS (5-2):
5 Caron Butler SF
32 Blake Griffin PF
6 DeAndre Jordan C
34 Willie Green SG
1 Chris Paul PG
This is a really intriguing early season match-up as both teams are off to strong starts. Miami is coming off a win after a surprising loss to the Grizzlies, while the Clippers are coming into tonight's game with on a 3-0 winning streak.
There was an interesting debate about how to beat the Heat going on during the half time of the Griz/OKC game. Wilbon posed an interesting question, that I think is worth repeating: did the Griz create a blue print by beating the heat with size, size and more size?
Not many teams have the front court size that the Griz do, but it's worth considering. Why try to match up with the Heat in terms of skill and speed? Go right at them with size and strength down low. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out tonight, because the Clippers are another team that has good Bigs that can give the Heat trouble.
My apologies ScoreFaithful, that was a typo. Lebron is definitely starting tonight!
We're just about to get started here tonight. 3 min until tip off.
Heat control the tip and Lebron gets and easy dunk on apick and roll.
Blake ties it up at 2 with a make of his own.
The Heat turn it over and Jordan makes a right hook to go up 4-2. Miami turns it over again. Clip go up 6-2/
Off a Miami miss, Clip captialize again. 8-2.
James makes on the turn around over Butler.
Jump ball forced by Battier after he knocked the ball loose.
Bosh blocks Green and forces the second jump in as many minutes.
Heat control the jump and outlet goes to Wade for the two handed dunk.
Paul was forced into a time out after being trapped just after half-court. Time out Clips.
Green forces an air ball at the end of the SClock. Miami ball. Griffen grabs the rebound.
Three quick turnovers see the ball go back to the Heat. Chalmers took a charge at center court on Paul. Bosh misses his first shot. Green missed on the other end
Wade makes his second basket early here. Griffen responds with his second of the game.
Battier hits his first js of the game.
Fast and furious scoring as Griffin hits another jumper.
Green came up with the steal on Wade before setting up Griffin down low. Griffin got fouled and is at the line. He makes 1/2 at the line.
Wade Bosh pick and roll works as Bosh scores. Paul makes a nice drive and kick, but Butler travels to ruin a good opportunity. TV time out.
This is a great fast paced game so far. 13-13, 5:56 First Quarter.
Wade lobs the ball out of bounds. 5th Miami turn over. Butler misses going the other way.
Miami and LA take turns turning it over. Chalmer misses his second shot of the night. Clip ball
Paul nails a deep three on a short clock. Bosh misses a give-me down low, Blake with the rebound. Stoppage in play and Crawford is in the game.
Paul just got stuffed by Bosh, score still 16-13 clips.
James takes the ball up court after the Battier rebound. Ray Allen into the game.
Lebron to Battier on a nice touch pass is good for 3. Griffin nails another JS and is 3-3.
James with a beauty running hook over Blake. Buttler misses another shot and Miami has the ball again.
James backs down Griffin before turning and driving to the hoop! Count the bucket and he'll have a chance at the three point play after the break.
James misses the FT. Barnes is and promptly misses a 3. Battier misses his first shot.
Jamal Crawford makes his first jumper of the night. 20-20
Paul forces yet another turnover. Crawford hit another shot, this time a running jumper. Lewis hits a nice dribble and pop - 22-22.