http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/content/auto/ epaper/editions/sunday/sports_04b8423d96ea903e00c9.html Not 3-0, just 'Uh-oh' By Chris Perkins, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Sunday, April 25, 2004 NEW ORLEANS -- Stan Van Gundy's worst fear about his team -- it wouldn't have offensive energy in a road game -- came to fruition Saturday. The Heat coach knew his team was prone to being listless early in road games, and that's exactly what happened against New Orleans in Game 3 of this first-round Eastern Conference playoff series. It's why the Hornets defeated the Heat 77-71 before a relatively sparse crowd at New Orleans Arena, and it's why this best-of-seven series has been reenergized. "We're always saying it's going to take a great deal of energy for us to win on the road," Heat guard Eddie Jones said. "I don't know what the problem is; we're just not coming out with a whole bunch of it." Miami still has a 2-1 lead over the Hornets, but if Tuesday's Game 4 is similar to Game 3, the Heat could soon be fighting for its playoff life. The Heat is now 3-20 on the road against playoff teams this season, and 3-11 on the road against Eastern Conference playoff teams. But that doesn't get to the heart of why Miami lost Saturday. The Heat lost because it shot 32.9 percent from the field, its worst-ever in a playoff game, and it scored 71 points, its third-lowest total in a playoff game. Compounding those problems was Miami never got its fastbreak or transition offense going in Game 3. That was a bit puzzling considering the Heat outrebounded New Orleans 48-42 and held the Hornets to 35.5 percent shooting from the field. When Miami has those two things working -- defensive rebounding and good defense -- it usually runs and scores points. That didn't happen Saturday because the Hornets dropped at least two guys back on defense after they shot the ball, and they began defending the ball at halfcourt and cut off Miami's transition game. With injured guard Baron Davis (21 points, five assists, four steals), fellow guard David Wesley (18 points), and center Jamaal Magloire (12 points, nine rebounds, three blocks) leading the way, the Hornets slowed Miami's offense to nearly nothing. The Heat trailed 41-29 at halftime, the 29 points tying a franchise playoff low. The Heat also committed 12 first-half turnovers. "I thought our mind-set to start the game was a major problem," Van Gundy said. "We tried to prepare them for three days how hard somebody would come at you at home, down 2-0, but we seemed very surprised by the fact that they were up and into us and very physical." Despite playing poorly at the start, the Heat had numerous chances at the end because it came out with some fire in the second half. Miami trailed 71-65 with 2:41 remaining when forward Caron Butler (24 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, two steals) hit a jumper and a pair of free throws to cut the Heat's deficit to 71-69. But the Hornets responded with a Wesley jumper to go up 73-69. It was a trend that would repeat itself for the remainder of the game. The Heat did something good and the Hornets did something better, whether it was getting a rebound, a tip-in or a blocked shot. It also didn't help the Heat that forward Lamar Odom (18 points, six rebounds, seven turnovers, four fouls) missed a 5:17 span in the fourth quarter getting six stitches in his left eyelid after taking an elbow from Davis. When Odom returned with 1:47 left, Miami was down 73-69, but couldn't muster enough energy to get that crucial rebound, tip-in or loose ball. "They came and did what they were supposed to do," Heat center Brian Grant said. "We definitely had an opportunity to go up 3-0, and we didn't grasp that opportunity." [email protected] --

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