Heat beat Pistons 88-73 for fourth straight win

By NOAH TRISTER, AP Sports Writer
Mar 23, 11:34 pm EDT

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP)—LeBron James and the Miami Heat were thinking about a lot more than basketball Friday.

All anyone needed to do was look at their shoes.

James and Dwyane Wade were among several Miami players who took the floor with messages on their sneakers about the death of an unarmed black teenager who was shot by a neighborhood crime-watch volunteer in a suburb of Orlando, Fla. The Heat made quick work of the Pistons in an 88-73 victory, but the focus afterward was on the team’s decision to speak out.

Miami also posed for a picture earlier in the day wearing team-logo hoodies. Trayvon Martin was wearing a hooded sweatshirt when he was shot last month.

“As leaders, as role models, we’re happy that we’re able to shed light on a situation that we feel isn’t right,” James said. “That’s why we did that today.”

James had 17 points and 10 assists, and Wade added 24 points for Miami, which won its fourth straight. The game itself was unremarkable, but the Heat attracted attention well before the opening tip.

Martin was killed as he was returning to a gated community, carrying candy and iced tea. A neighborhood crime-watch volunteer, George Zimmerman, said he acted in self-defense. He has not been arrested, though state and federal authorities are still investigating.

Protests have popped up nationwide in recent days, and Wade posted a photo of himself wearing a hooded shirt to his Twitter and Facebook pages Friday morning. A couple hours later, James posted another photo—this one of 13 Heat players, all wearing team-logo hoodies, their heads bowed, their hands stuffed into their pockets.

“Just a sign of support from us and our team,” Wade said. “I’m glad that everybody really was on board with it and wanted to do it, because a lot of times it’s hard for guys to take that leap and step out and get into the political world. For us, we just want to support his family, in memory of him.”

Players took the floor with messages such as “RIP Trayvon Martin” and “We want justice” scrawled on their shoes.

Miami then took control of the game early. The Heat led by 26 in the third quarter, although Detroit did rally to make it respectable.

Brandon Knight scored 18 points for the Pistons, who have lost five of six.

“We knew exactly how they were going to defend us, but we weren’t able to do much against them,” Detroit coach Lawrence Frank said. “We kept trying to move the ball through the forest of hands, and they were getting all kinds of tips and deflections.”

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST

NICE PHOTOS OF THE DANCERS

Miami Notebook: Heat 107, Trail Blazers 93

By Kerry Eggers, for NBA.com

THE FACTS: LeBron James and Dwyane Wade combined for 71 points as Miami rolled to a 107-93 victory over Portland Thursday night at the Rose Garden.

With Chris Bosh missing after the death of his grandmother, James scored 38 points on 13-for-22 shooting to go with 11 rebounds, six assists and five steals with no turnovers in 41 minutes. Wade collected 33 points, 10 assists and three steals for the Heat (38-7), who won their ninth straight game and 15th in the last 17 outings.

LaMarcus Aldridge scored 20 points and Jamal Crawford 18 for the Trail Blazers (18-18), who fell to 13-6 on their homecourt.

QUOTABLE: "They have two great players over there. LeBron and Dwyane were on top of their games tonight. Our guys worked hard to try to force those guys to shoot the ball over the top. They did that, but (James and Wade) made them. It's a tough matchup when you have guys like that who can score and are willing passers."
-- Portland coach Nate McMillan.

THE STAT: James has averaged 38.8 points in his last five appearances in Portland, scoring 37, 34, 41 and 44 in games before Thursday night.

TURNING POINT: Miami outscored Portland 23-8 over the final six minutes of the second quarter to go into intermission ahead 60-42. The Blazers trimmed what eventually became a 25-point deficit to 10 with 4:40 to play, but could get no closer.

QUOTABLE II: "We knew we had to take it a little bit upon ourselves, but we also let the game flow. But we did come in and say, 'Without one of our horses, we have to be a little more assertive.' "
-- Dwyane Wade, on the combined production of he and James without Bosh in the lineup.

HOT: James was precise in every shooting department, making both 3-point attempts and going 10-for-12 at the foul line.

NOT: After making seven of their first nine shots to start the game, the Blazers were 12 for 35 in falling behind by 18 at the half.

QUOTABLE III: "He was talking to me. I was trying to understand what he was saying, and the ref said, 'Quit looking at him.' I didn't know I couldn't look at a human being.' Can't touch him, can't look at him - what's next?" Portland's Joel Przybilla, who got into what appeared to be a lively conversation with James.

INSIDE THE ARENA: Former Blazer Scottie Pippen was courtside. Actress Carrie Brownstein ("Portlandia") was also in the house.

GOOD MOVE: Miami coach Erik Spoelstra used LeBron James to defend Portland center Marcus Camby to start the game. Camby finished 1-for-6 from the field and James was free to roam defensively. "I told you guys at shootaround that I planned on guarding everybody, and I pretty much did that," James said.

BAD MOVE: Nicolas Batum played 31 minutes, fewest of any Portland starter other than Camby. Batum -- who had 17 points, five rebounds, three steals, two blocked shots and two assists -- should have been on the court longer.

NOTABLE: Former Blazer Joel Przybilla -- who recently signed with Portland and was making his first appearance this season -- drew a standing ovation when he entered late in the first quarter. Pryzbilla had four points, six rebounds and two blocked shots in 19 minutes.

UP NEXT: For the Blazers, Saturday vs. Minnesota, Monday vs. New Orleans, Wednesday at Minnesota. For the Heat, Friday at Utah, Sunday at L.A. Lakers, Tuesday vs. New Jersey.

Miami Heat Dancers from the Back!

This Is The offi....ishh,,.....