The Heat are in danger of becoming a team one play shy of greatness. At L.A., it was Kobe Bryant banking in a trey at the horn undoubtedly the shot of the season so far in the NBA to quash what had been a brilliant final few minutes by Miami against the defending champs. Against the Celtics on January 10, Dwyane Wade made what should have been the second-best shot in the league this season. He performed his brilliant midcourt strip of Ray Allen and subsequent dunk with 0.6 seconds remaining, only to see Rajon Rondo tip in a miracle layup and then torch the Heat in overtime. Along with the Laker Show and the Celts, LeBron James Cavaliers are the class of the NBA. If the Heat can hang with them, super. If Wade and company can finally finish the job, they begin to look like a team with more than mere potential. Its King James at the American Airlines Arena (601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami) on Monday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets begin at $10 and are available by calling 786-777-4667 or visiting heat.com.
Mon., Jan. 25, 7:30 p.m., 2010