http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basketball/heat/ sfl-heatnotes24apr24,0,1623830.story?coll=sfla-sports-heat Heat expecting Hornets to drive more By Brian Sumers Staff Writer Posted April 24 2004 Miami ?The outside shots didn't fall for New Orleans in Game 2, so Stan Van Gundy expects the Hornets' guards to drive more today. Not that he really cares. "I can't worry about what other people's game plans are," he said. "If they take it to the hole then we've got to contain the ball off the dribble and get bodies in front of them." If the Hornets do drive, they may free up space for their outside shooters, including guard Baron Davis, who missed 11 of 14 shots Wednesday. So far, the slightly undersized Heat has neutralized New Orleans around the basket. Starters Lamar Odom, Brian Grant and Caron Butler have combined to limit Jamaal Magloire, who finished seventh in the NBA in rebounding during the regular season. Once again, the Heat plans to keep the Hornets from developing an inside game. Limited to mostly long-range shots in Game 2, New Orleans shot just 24 percent. "I'm going to try not to let the 'bigs' get so close to the basket, [and] make them shoot shots where their percentages are a little lower," Grant said. More accolades Rafer Alston continues to receive recognition for his breakthrough season. Alston finished seventh in voting for the league's Sixth Man Award, given to the bench player who makes the most important contribution to his team. Dallas' Antawn Jamison won the award, averaging 14.8 points and 6.3 rebounds. Keeping it loose When Grant played in the playoffs for Sacramento in 1996, his teammates took the postseason so seriously they hardly talked to each other. But this Heat squad is more relaxed, fully prepared to enjoy its trip to New Orleans. "Everybody claims they're Eddie Murphy on the plane," Butler said. "I've got like 30 straight I can run on anybody at any given time. I've got 30 real good jokes." When the jokes aren't flowing, the players pass the time with card games, mostly Spades. According to Butler, assistant coach Keith Askins has emerged as the team's card shark. "He's good at switching the cards up real quick," Butler said. "He's got quick hands. You've got to watch him." Postseason guest At the end of his rookie year after his Clippers didn't make the playoffs, Lamar Odom went to every Lakers home playoff game and watched Shaquille O'Neal lead Los Angeles to its first championship in more than 10 years. Now Odom is sharing his playoff experiences with former Clippers teammate Jeff McInnis, whose Cleveland squad didn't qualify for the postseason. A guest at Odom's house, McInnis has attended both playoff games and will join the Heat at New Orleans today. Odds and ends Despite the Heat's noon tip-off today, Van Gundy said he wouldn't set a curfew for his players. "I'm not going to sit in the lobby and chart when everybody comes in," he said. "They either want to win and take care of themselves or they don't." ... Asked whether the Heat was in command of the Hornets, Van Gundy responded: "You know when you're in command of the series? When you get your fourth win, that's when you're in control." Copyright c 2004, South Florida Sun-Sentinel --

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