Mario Chalmers News

Somewhat lost in the hysteria of Wednesday's final quarter against Orlando, with Dwyane Wade's 16 points and Michael Beasley's winning putback garnering all the attention, was Jermaine O'Neal's contribution.

The Miami Heat are some cool hep cats. That's the message in the NBA teama TMs new introduction video played at all home games wherethe visual style being sampled is jazzy Blue Note record albums, circa the 1950s.

The concern is not yet over the top. Then again, that's exactly what it is. At the start of the season, no team defended the 3-point line better than the Miami Heat , with opponents 16 of 74 from beyond the arc, a paltry 21.6 percent, through its first three games.

It is as if training camp, the preseason and the 6-1 start never happened. That's what has Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra so disappointed.

What separates the Miami Heat from a six-game losing streak? A Dwyane Wade 3-pointer with one-tenth of a second to play 10 days ago against the New Jersey Nets and then an excuse-me jumper by forward Udonis Haslem with 15.4 seconds to play Sunday against the New Orleans Hornets.

Miami's Dwyane Wade looks on as Toronto celebrates in the second half. Enlarge Photo Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh, right, tries to drive past Miami Heats' Michael Beasley, left, and forward Jermaine O'Neal, center, during first-half NBA basketball game action on Friday, Nov.

Call me an eternal optimist, but even after the heartbreaking 120-113 loss the Miami Heat just suffered to the Toronto Raptors, I still have hope for these boys from South Beach.

Hedo Turkoglu added 19 points for Toronto, with Jarrett Jack scoring 17 and Jose Calderon recording 10 assists.

It appears as if the Miami Heat will escape having to play Tuesday night's game against visiting the Oklahoma City Thunder without two starters.

Jermaine O'Neal and Mario Chalmers are hurting, and coach Erik Spoelstra hopes rest and treatment will have them ready for the Thunder on Tuesday.

Q: It is clear that Mario Chalmers' position in the NBA is backup point guard. As a backup, he is a great asset.

Look up the word winner in the dictionary and you'll likely now find a picture of Dwyane Wade right there next to the definition.

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra knew he'd have a fight on his hands Saturday night.

Dwyane Wade noticed it right away. "He had two games where he had some tough matchups with Nash and Arenas, and he struggled a little bit," Wade said.

This Thursday night, two of the most exciting teams in the NBA will square off when the Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Miami Heat.

One team is off to a flying start, already in first place and unbeaten in five games against Eastern Conference rivals.

Rest a bit easier, Miami fans. Heat owner Micky Arison says he has "every indication" Dwyane Wade will be starring in South Florida for many years to come.

Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers has already had an up-and-down season. At least that's what teammate Dwyane Wade thinks about Chalmers' six-game performance.

Observations from Wednesday's 93-89 victory over the Wizards at Verizon Center: No, It is not a good sign at all that the Heat had to ride Dwyane Wade this long and this hard in the second half of the second night of a back-to-back. Wasn't this season supposed to be about a depth of talent and a diversity of talent? But that No.

Miami Heat guard Quentin Richardson shoots over Washington Wizards guard Mike Miller during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov.