The Brooklyn Nets are one of two teams to beat the Miami Heat twice this season. While the defending champs have ended one losing streak, they aim to end another as they face off against their Eastern Conference rivals on Wednesday night. The Nets franchise has not won a game in Miami in over six years and they would certainly like to start in order to get a chance playing in the postseason.
Right now, the Nets are on a roll. Brooklyn has the best record in the Eastern Conference since the turn of the new year. The team is 22-9 while winning the last six of seven matchups. If they are going to beat the Heat in Miami, this is the time to do it. The Nets have dropped eight straight games in South Beach since 2008, but could win on Wednesday and make it three in a row this year.
The Heat have struggled recently. While owning the best record throughout most of the season, Miami has dropped three straight before getting a win over the Washington Wizards on Monday and clinching a playoff spot. Dwyane Wade stepped up for the Heat, putting up 13 points in the fourth quarter to get the 99-90 win. The team has excelled at home which will help against the Nets. The Heat owns a 16-2 home record since Dec. 10, the best in the league.
Brooklyn's first two wins over the Heat came with key players missing on Miami's roster. Both Mario Chalmers and Shane Battier were out for the first game while Wade missed the second. Everyone is expected to be healthy against Brooklyn. The Nets are now the ones with injury issues. Kevin Garnett is a game-time decision after missing the past six games with a back injury while Andrei Kirilenko has been dealing with ankle problems. Paul Pierce also has shoulder problems.
All three players could be active on Wednesday as this matchup is crucial to the Net's playoff push. The team is currently sitting on the edge in the Eastern Conference and cannot afford to drop games at this point.
