http://www.palmbeachpost.com/heat/content/auto/epaper/ editions/thursday/sports_0478f48896bd013a000a.html Miami quashes sluggish New Orleans By Chris Perkins, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Thursday, April 22, 2004 MIAMI -- It's been years since the Heat had this kind of momentum, the kind of frightening momentum that makes one think anything is possible. And as the New Orleans Hornets are finding out, if you don't get out of the way of Miami's avalanche of youthful enthusiasm and surprising talent, it will bury you. That's what happened Wednesday. The Heat hammered New Orleans 93-63 at a sold-out AmericanAirlines Arena to take a 2-0 lead in this best-of-seven first-round Eastern Conference playoff series. And it was the kind of game that makes one ask after watching the upstart Heat, "Can I believe what I'm seeing here?" "Yeah, I definitely believe what I'm seeing," center Brian Grant said. "People have been asking us that question all year as we've been fighting our way back." Miami, playing before 20,189, a franchise-record attendance and its ninth consecutive sellout crowd, harnessed energy from what is becoming one of the NBA's most boisterous crowds to win its 14th consecutive home game and its 19th game in its past 23 outings. New Orleans' 63 points were the second-fewest in playoff history and not much above the NBA playoff record-low of 54. It was only the fourth time a team has been held to 63 points in a playoff game. The Heat also held the Hornets to 24.4 percent shooting from the field, not much above the NBA-playoff record low of 23.3 percent established by the Golden State Warriors in 1973. And Miami held the hapless Hornets to 10 points in the third quarter, tying a franchise record for fewest points allowed in a quarter. The crowning gem was Miami also outrebounded the Hornets (50-45) to achieve a major goal for the second time in two games. "We got what we deserved," New Orleans guard Darrell Armstrong said. The seemingly disinterested Hornets have to collect themselves and get a victory in Saturday's Game 3 at New Orleans Arena, or Hornets forward Jamal Mashburn won't be the only one going home early. Miami, which has a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series for the first time in franchise history, was led by Grant (15 points, 11 rebounds) and forward Caron Butler (18 points, nine rebounds). The Heat shut down the Hornets' back court of Baron Davis (13 points on 3-for-14 shooting) and guard David Wesley (eight points on 2-for-9 shooting), and once that happened, the Hornets had no place to turn for offense. But even with all the Heat's success, coach Stan Van Gundy still was trying to be the voice of reason. "This series is far from over," he said. Not if the Hornets keep this up. The Hornets appear old instead of experienced. When Miami opened a 58-38 lead in the third quarter, the Hornets stood on the perimeter firing errant three-pointers, unable to get anything going inside with All-Star center Jamaal Magloire (nine points, 10 rebounds). After about three misfires the Heat grabbed the rebounds and darted the other way, leaving the slow-footed Hornets helpless. The popular opinion at halftime was the Heat should have been ahead by more than nine points, and it seemed to be true. Miami shot 40 percent from the field, including a miserable 1-for-10 on three-pointers, and still was firmly in control of the game. New Orleans was even worse, shooting 27.5 percent from the field. It was 2-for-10 on three-pointers, but the Hornets had 10 offensive rebounds, which was the only thing keeping them from being blown out. "They've been playing the best basketball in the NBA to me," Armstrong said. "Van Gundy, I don't know what he's done, gave them some pep pills or something, energy pills or something, because that team is energized right now." [email protected] --

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