Heat Look For 12th Straight Win
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Miami Heat are riding high on an 11-game winning streak and will be looking to extend the NBA's longest active winning streak to 12 straight when the Sacramento Kings take the floor at the AmericanAirlines Arena Tuesday night.
Miami has dominated the Kings in recent contest and hasn't gone down to defeat since a February 1 loss against the Indiana Pacers. Miami is beating opponents by an average of 12.9 points per game during the current 11 game winning streak.
Essentially, in the NBA, if you're looking for a good month to play in Miami, don't choose February. Over the last three Februarys since LeBron James and Chris Bosh joined forces with Dwyane Wade, the Heat has compiled a 31-6 record during that month.
"This is when we make our mark, become legends or whatever the case may be," said James, who earned his 42nd player of the week award Monday - the most in NBA history. "This is the best time of the year. We understand that spring is on its way and we're gearing up for it. We're playing some really, really good ball right now as a team."
While James mentioned the team, his game has continued to hit unprecedented levels. During the current streak, James is averaging 28.9 points per game and is shooting a phenomenal 65.5 percent from the floor.
The Heat had a scare on Sunday when Cleveland erased a 22-point lead and forced the Heat to rally from eight points down with less than five minutes to play. Miami did complete the comeback and finished off the Cavs 109-105.
"We found a way," said Wade. "In the fourth, you just find it. ... We just turned that other switch on."
The fact that the Heat are starting to hit their stride as the playoffs near in April is the worst thing opposing coaches can hear from the Heat. Miami coasted through the first half of the season and still walked away with the best record in the Eastern Conference.
As the season has worn on, Dwyane Wade has seen his game return to what it was before he was injured last year. Wade hit for 24 points, including 11 in the final 4:50 against the Cavaliers.
It's not as if Miami has struggled to put away the Kings in the past. Miami beat Sacramento 128-99 in early January riding Mario Chalmers for 34 points in the game. The Kings have lost five straight and 13 of its last 16 entering Tuesday's game.
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