Scorched in South Beach!

DECEMBER 27, 2005
Heat 98, Bucks 67.Well, the Miami Heat lived up to their name, scorching the Bucks 98 to 67 at American Airlines Arena. Dwyane Wade led the way for Miami with 36 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Shaquille O'Neal did what the Diesel does best: dominate. His stats: 27 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks.The Bucks were rotten all night long, except for the 2nd quarter, where they outscored the Heat 28-22. Wanna know how bad the Bucks were? Milwaukee scored 13 points in the first quarter, 14 in the 2nd and 12 in the 4th quarter! And their 67 total points was a season low. Three Bucks players fouled out: Michael Redd (despite leading the team with 21 points) and both centers (Jamaal Magloire and Dan Gadzuric). In fact Big Cat and Danny G were completely destroyed by Shaq, as well as shut out in today's debacle. They combined for 0 points and 7 rebounds with 12 personal fouls combined!The only saving grace for the Bucks? Philip Finley Joseph Paul Finnigan Fitzpatrick. Fightin' Fitzie had 14 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks, even though he was 5-for-13 from the field.All told, here are the miserable facts about tonight's game:They shot well below 40% (29-for-85).They were 2-for-17 from beyond the arc.They were soundly beaten in the battle of the boards, 54-42. (James Posey, a small forward, had 14 rebounds!)The Heat shot more than 50% (38-for-74).Another beatdown on the road (lost by 37 on 11/25/05 at Minnesota and get poleaxed on 12/7/05 at Philadelphia).And three players fouled out.And guess what? The goshawful Knicks, who beat the Bucks at MSG 15 days ago are coming to the Bradley Center. Will we see the Bucks of tonight against New York or the Knicks of 05-06 December 30? We will find out!