http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/108279699283980.xml Keeping up with Miami's Jones a key for the Hornets Saturday, April 24, 2004 By John Reid Staff writer Earlier this week, Miami Heat coach Stan Van Gundy sat behind a desk in a crowded interview room and told reporters he was pleased by his team's two-point victory against the Hornets in Game 1 but not completely satisfied with all aspects of his game plan. He liked how his young Heat team ran by the Hornets for 18 fast-break points and how rookie guard Dwyane Wade handled the pressure of having to make a game-winning shot with seconds left. But what concerned Van Gundy was shooting guard Eddie Jones. Jones had only five shot opportunities, despite finishing the regular season as the Heat's leading scorer with a 17.3 average. Van Gundy promised changes. And changes came. In Game 2, Jones took almost three times as many shots as in the first game. He made six of 14 to score a game-high 19 points in the Heat's 93-63 rout of the Hornets on Wednesday night. With a chance to take a 3-0 lead with a win today at New Orleans Arena, the Heat will try to continue taking advantage of Jones' shooting. "From a play-calling standpoint, we have to find ways to get him more shots," Van Gundy said. Three seasons ago, Jones couldn't stop the Charlotte Hornets from eliminating the Heat in a three-game sweep. And he hasn't forgotten. "You don't forget things like that, but any personal agendas has to go out of the door," said Jones, who played for the Hornets for 1 ½ seasons before he was traded in 2000 to the Heat, along with Anthony Mason and Ricky Davis, for P.J. Brown and Jamal Mashburn. "I don't hold any grudges," he said, "but the last three years I was disappointed in the way things went for us here, being a team that was destined to win a championship to a team that was in the lottery." The Heat used its lottery pick last season to select Wade with the fifth pick. Miami also signed free-agent Lamar Odom after the Los Angeles Clippers matched the Heat's offer given to restricted free-agent Elton Brand. The Heat looked for young players and built the team around Jones and center Brian Grant, who, like Jones, is a nine-year veteran. Nine of Miami's 12 players have been in the league four seasons or less. "The young guys have gotten a lot of credit, and deservedly so," Van Gundy said after Wednesday's victory. "But I think Brian and Eddie wanted everyone to know they're still here and a big part of it." Like Jones, Grant also overcame a sub-par first game, scoring 15 points on 6-of-13 shooting in Game 2. In Game 1, Grant took four shots and was held to two points. But, in both games, Grant was a tough defender on Hornets center Jamaal Magloire, who was held to nine points Wednesday night and made 5-of-14 shots in Game 1. "I take what's given to me," Grant said. "My concern is winning, and, in order for us to win, Jamaal can't have a 20-point, 10-rebound night. So I'm going to go out there and use every foul and defensive technique I've got. As long as we're doing our job and winning, that's all that matters." . . . . . . . John Reid can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3405. --

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