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Vegas: Heat favorites to win titles

Sun, 19 May 2013 17:51:55 GMT

Oddsmakers favor the Miami Heat to win their second straight NBA title.

According to the gambling website Sportsbook, the Miami Heat are 1/3 favorites to win it all.

That means for every $3 bet on the Heat, you would win $1 back.

The next closet favorite is the San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs are at 6/1.

Just after San Antonio is Memphis.

The Grizzlies are 7/1.

The least likely according to oddsmakers to win it all are the Indiana Pacers.

They are 15/1 longshots.

Eastern Conference Finals to start Wednesday

Fri, 17 May 2013 02:48:14 GMT

The Miami Heat will have plenty of time to get ready for the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Knicks beat the Pacers Thursday night, forcing a game 6 of their series.

As a result, Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals will not begin until Wednesday night.

The Heat will host the winner of the Knicks and Pacers.

All games will be played at 8:30 p.m.

Game 2 will be Friday May 24.

The Heat will hit the road for Game 3 Sunday May 26 and Tuesday May 28.

If necessary, game 5 would be in MIami on Thursday May 30.

The Heat would have to travel for Game 6, on Saturday June 1.

A game 7 would be played on June 3.

Miami earned their spot by eliminating the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night.

The Heat won that series 4-1.

Wade shakes off pain

Thu, 16 May 2013 21:32:25 GMT

It was an hour or so after the Miami Heat punched their ticket back to the Eastern Conference finals, and a question was asked about the perceived demise of Dwyane Wade's abilities.

LeBron James was not pleased.

"He's a Hall of Famer. He has two rings," James said. "He doesn't to prove himself to anyone. No one."

Maybe, maybe not.

But just in case, Wade ignored his aching right knee and put those oft-questioned skills on full display to earn his fifth trip to the East finals.

Over the last 5½ minutes of Miami's 94-91 second-round clinching win over the Chicago Bulls, Wade was the only Heat player with a field goal, going 3 for 3. He had three rebounds, half Miami's total in that span, along with his team's only blocked shot. And with two short floaters — set up by the "Eurostep" move that he's made a trademark — along with a strong dunk after a rebound, Wade offered a reminder that he's still more than capable of elite moments.

"I always try to overcome," Wade said. "I understand certain things will be said. But I'm harder on myself than anybody."

He's averaging only 13 points per game in this postseason, by far his lowest clip in nine trips to the playoffs, and simply could not care less about what the stat sheet says in that regard. He's taken only 24 free throws in the entire postseason, which is one less than his single-game high from the line set back in the 2006 NBA Finals against Dallas.

But when Wade is on the floor in these playoffs, the Heat are outscoring opponents by 10.4 points per game. When he's not on the floor, the Heat are outscoring opponents by 4.7 points per game. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra often brings numerical intricacies into his way of thinking, but he finds those numbers to tell a clear and simple story.

"He never makes excuses for anything and he's giving us everything he's got and he's giving us minutes that help us win," Spoelstra said. "That's the bottom line."

If excuses were to be made, this baffling issue with Wade's right knee would provide a decent supply of them.

The saga is now in its third month, after he took some hits during games against Boston and Orlando back in March. He sat out a game March 24, with the Heat saying at the time that they did not believe the issue was all that serious. Wade later said it was three bone bruises around his right kneecap, and that it was basically all a case of wrong-place, wrong-time, bad luck.

And the issue remains paramount now, even prompting some speculation before Game 5 that Wade would be sitting out the potential clincher to rest. Wade said that was not an option.

"It's the time of year where you've got to do what you can," said Wade, who got the tape on his knee re-done before entering the game in the fourth quarter, because sweat loosened the original tape job and he wanted to be at his best for the comeback push.

When the Bulls look at the tape of the closing minutes, when their chance to extend the series went awry, they'll likely wish that Wade wasn't out there.

Wade was the only Miami starter to make a field goal in the final quarter, after the first five baskets of the last 12 minutes were made by Heat reserves — sparking what became a 30-16 run to end the game, and the Bulls' season.

Then it was Wade's time to be the closer, and he delivered.

With Miami up 84-83, Wade set up on the right wing and was freed by a pick set by Shane Battier against Richard Hamilton, shook his way clear of Carlos Boozer and made a 10-footer. On the next possession, Wade used almost the same move to get down the middle of the lane, this time faking out Hamilton and Joakim Noah, for another short floater that put Miami up 88-84.

The highlight came about 90 seconds later. Norris Cole missed a jumper, and Wade ran past Hamilton and Nate Robinson to get to the rim untouched in anticipation of a rebound. Wade went up, dunked the ball with two hands, landed and spun around in celebration.

Knee pain, nowhere to be found. Doubted all season because of his declining numbers — even though he was one of only four players in the league to average at least 20 points, five assists and five rebounds — Wade made sure the Heat would close out Chicago and earn a trip to the East finals.

"I have to overcome different things," Wade said. "This is a part of my journey and hopefully one day when I walk away from this game I get the respect that my game deserves, whatever that may be. So I just try to go out and do what I can for my teammates, hurt or not hurt, and try to win. That's all."

It was that answer that got James fired up.

For 80 seconds, the league's four-time MVP played defense in support of his teammate and close friend, as Wade sat to his left and just listened to the words of praise.

"It's a Catch-22," James said. "If he doesn't play, then you guys are like, 'Why are you not in uniform? It's a playoff game. Why is he not playing?' When he does play and he's not scoring 20 points, it's 'D-Wade shouldn't be out there.' I don't really care for it too much. ... As his teammate, as his brother, man, I love the fight he continues to give. When he's out on the floor, no matter what the stat sheet says, he's a threat."

What's Wade Wearing: The black and blue camo suit

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:37:03 GMT

Dwyane Wade celebrated the Heat winning the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a suave-looking dark look at the podium on Wednesday night.

Wade dawned a black and blue floral camo suit by Versace, over a black crew neck t-shirt from YSL. He topped off the look with some sparkly bling. A necklace with his number, 3, dangling in front of his chest.

Personal stylist Calyann Barnett told us Wade was planning a theme of prints and patterns for the Chicago series. It included a floral jacket and a suit with capri pants that stirred up conversation on social media.

While we weren't able to see them at the podium, Barnett tells us Wade was wearing shoes from Giuseppe, and a Belt by Trussardi.

Oddsmakers: Heat overwhelming faves to repeat

Thu, 16 May 2013 17:51:36 GMT

Now that the Miami Heat have taken care of the Chicago Bulls and moved on to the Eastern Conference Finals, they have become overwhelming favorites to repeat as NBA champs. The online oddsmaker Sportsbook.com lists the Heat at 1-to-4 odds. That means if you bet $400 on the Heat to win the title, and they win, you win $100 plus your initial investment of $400 or $500 total. The Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs are co-second choices at 6-to-1 odds. That means if you bet $100 to win on either Memphis or San Antonio, and they somehow get it done, you win $600 plus you initial investment of $100 or $700 total. The Indiana Pacers are 12-to-1 odds, followed by the Golden State Warriors at 60-to-1 and the New York Knicks at 100-to-1.

Heat close out feisty Bulls

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:37:57 GMT

The Miami Heat closed out the feisty Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night.

Miami eliminated Chicago 94-91.

Dwyane Wade's knee looked just fine in the 4th quarter, as he helped finish off Chicago.

Wade hit several jump shots and had an emphatic put-back slam that helped the Heat put the game on ice.

In the first quarter, Miami ran out to a fast start against Chicago.

The Heat scored the first 10 points of the game.

Miami built their lead up to 18 points.

But the Bulls would not quit.

Led by 19 first-half points by Carlos Boozer, the Bulls went into halftime up 53-47.

Miami could not make up any ground in the third quarter.

Richard Hamilton emerged from the Bulls bench with a strong performance.

Miami was finally able to make up ground in the fourth quarter.

Dwyane Wade fought through his knee injury to log key minutes for the Heat.

Wade finished with 18 points.

LeBron James was also a key contributor with 23 points.

Next up for the Heat will be the winner of the Indiana-New York series.

Right now, the Pacers lead the best of 7, 3 games to 1.

Related: Eastern Conference Finals tickets on sale Thursday

Eastern Conference Finals tickets on sale Thursday

Thu, 16 May 2013 01:59:20 GMT

The Miami Heat announced Wednesday that individual game tickets for the first two home games of the Eastern Conference Finals will go on sale to the general public Thursday.

Tickets will be available to purchase beginning at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 16. According to the team, inventory is limited and tickets are expected to sell quickly.

Fans can purchase tickets online at Heat.com, Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-4NBA-TIX. The team said there will be an 8-ticket purchase limit per household.

Tickets will not be available at the AmericanAirlines Arena Ticket Office for the initial on-sale date. Playoff tickets may be purchased at the AmericanAirlines Arena Ticket Office beginning Friday at 10 a.m.

Additionally, American Express cardholders can purchase American Express Dewar's Rail seating, including valet parking and a premium buffet dinner for Games 1 and 2 starting at 10 a.m. Thursday. Any remaining tickets will be available to the general public starting at 10 a.m. on Friday. Tickets are $1,000 each and subject to availability.

Heat fans interested in lower level seats are encouraged to register for Heat Game Time Tickets. These tickets are VIP seats in the lower level normally reserved for NBA executives that may be released for sale approximately 48 hours before game time.

If and when Heat Game Time Tickets are released for sale, Heat fans that register their contact and credit card information on HeatGameTimeTickets.com will be contacted by a Heat sales representative to complete the ticket purchase.

The Miami Heat will take on the winner of the New York Knicks / Indiana Pacers during the Eastern Conference Finals. The schedule is still to be determined.

Police probe possible link in Heat player thefts

Wed, 15 May 2013 20:39:41 GMT

Authorities in South Florida are investigating whether there are connections between recent burglaries at the homes of Miami Heat players Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem.

Miami Beach police spokeswoman Vivian Hernandez said Wednesday there are similarities in the two thefts aside from both being Heat players. Authorities are not releasing the exact nature of those similarities.

The April 4 burglary at Bosh's Miami Beach home occurred while he and his wife were out celebrating his birthday. Tens of thousands of dollars in jewelry, cash and handbags were taken. There was no forced entry and babysitters were home with the couple's children.

Nothing was taken in the April 13 burglary at Haslem's Southwest Ranches home. There was forced entry and police found bags containing shoes and other items on the floor.

Milberg's Musings: The Money Shot

Wed, 15 May 2013 03:35:40 GMT

The Miami Heat come home tonight to finish off a no-holds-barred, physical, in-your-face series against the Chicago Bulls, in the first home game since we met the Heat fan now known as Bird Lady.

Because most everything everyone does in public is on camera somewhere, people all over the country -- the world, actually -- now know much more about Filomena Tobias than they probably ever wanted. The freeze-frame image shows the Palm Beach heiress flipping off Bulls' Center Joakim Noah from her pricey season seats as he left the court after Game 2's Chicago loss.

That less-than-gracious winners' move made headlines around the world.

No doubt, Ms. Tobias delivered some of South Florida flavor from the NBA playoffs. It was less game-crazed passion than nasty disrespect. When cooler heads prevailed, was there an apology or regret? Nope. Tobias' daughter told the Sun-Sentinel her mother said "she was just having fun, and people need to get a life."

Well, "what people think" turns out to be pretty important to our little corner of the globe. Compare the "bird" seen around the world to those beauty shots aired during big televised events here -- the ones the tourism chiefs call priceless public relations for our tourist destination. They somehow calculate those images as worth millions for South Florida's positive exposure.

That image of Bird Lady, finger flipped hard, bitter expression on her face -- that makes us look like "The Rudest Place in America," which is a title South Florida actually received in some magazine a few years ago.

With fans like Bird Lady, I hope Game 5 cues up some serious beauty shots.

READ: Tobias' statement |

What's Wade Wearing: Small pants make big splash

Tue, 14 May 2013 19:01:56 GMT

Dwyane Wade's fashion was once again the talk of the night, eclipsing news of the Heat's win, as the Miami star sported some capri suit pants.

The suit was gifted to him from the Gucci spring 2013 runway collection. Instead of waiting for the post-game news conference, Wade decided to strut his stuff before the game.

Some weren't so keen on the capri pants, but that didn't seem to bother Wade.

"Y'all know I don't care man, I wear what I'm comfortable with," Wade told Local 10 after the game. "That's just my style, my clothes."

D-Wade also kept up the Eastern Conference Semifinals theme of patterns and prints with a patterned purple design on the double-breasted suit. A thin white dress shirt and some aviators completed the outfit.