Miami Heat Need a Rally to Defeat CSKA Moscow

Filed under: Heat, NBA PreseasonMIAMI -- As if the tough task of bringing together some sense of cohesiveness to the new-look Miami Heat wasn't difficult enough, coach Erik Spoelstra and his team had more than just mounting injuries to worry about as they faced off against an unfamiliar opponent at the AmericanAirlines Arena for their fourth preseason game.

European powerhouse CSKA Moscow rolled into town with a unified team accustomed to playing with one another for years as they collected one trophy after another.

Though building a dynasty like the Russians have done is definitely one thing Pat Riley and his organization want to emulate, the players he chose to sign over the summer had their hands full trying to find a successful formula against them.

Playing their half-court game to perfection in the first half, CSKA Moscow slowed the game down and effectively nullified the superior athleticism of the Heat. Sticking to a pesky zone defense and limiting their turnovers that would have led to easy baskets for the Heat on the open floor clearly threw the locals off their game as they sought a solution to break out and score in bunches, as they had in their two earlier victories against the Detroit Pistons and Oklahoma City Thunder.
More: Heat Struggling With Injuries | Wade 'Virtually Pain-Free'

 Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

golf jobs last minute golfer moto sport garden games sports supplements