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Nets and Heat Meet in London

By John Schuhmann
Posted Oct 11 2008 3:49PM

Oct. 10, 2008 -- NBA Europe Live presented by EA SPORTS crosses the English Channel to London, where the Nets and Heat will meet again before returning stateside. On Thursday, the two teams played an extra five minutes, with the Nets pulling out a 100-98 victory in Paris. It wasn't a pretty game, and the Heat led most of the way, but the Nets took control with an 18-0 run that gave them a 10-point lead midway through the fourth quarter. They couldn't hold on though, and a Daequan Cook jumper with 18 seconds left sent the game to OT.

But the Nets held the Heat to just 3-for-10 from the field in the extra period to get the win.

On Sunday at 2 p.m. ET (NBA TV), the Heat will look for some revenge at The O2 Arena. Here are five things to look for...

1. Look sharp everybody!
The two teams combined for 42 turnovers on Thursday. Nets point guard Devin Harris led his team with 21 points, but turned the ball over five times.

Sloppiness is to be expected in the early preseason, but it's one thing that will drive coaches nuts. With new teammates getting accustomed to each other, expect a cleaner game this time around.

2. Beasley ... Take 3
Michael Beasley, the No. 2 pick in the draft, is now averaging 18.5 points and 6.5 boards through is first two preseason games. He has looked impressive on the offensive end of the floor, with a smooth jumper and an ability to get to the rim.

Rookies aren't supposed to be consistent, but if Beasley can produce another nice game, especially with all the traveling the Heat have done and a flight home on his mind, it could show that he's ready for the show.

3. VC, or not VC
Vince Carter suffered a strained left hamstring in the second quarter on Thursday and did not return to the game. He says it was minor and wants to play Sunday, but with any chances for a decent season resting on VC's shoulders (and legs), the Nets may take the cautious route.

4. Who's your point?
Chris Quinn started at the point in the Heat's first preseason game and shot 1-for-7 from the field. With Quinn nursing an injured ankle, Marcus Banks got the start on Thursday and turned the ball over six times. And Mario Chalmers didn't look much better.

Shaun Livingston reportedly had a good practice on Wednesday, but the Heat held him out of the Paris game.

Miami needs one of the four to step forward and take that starting job. It's the No. 1 issue to be resolved before opening night.

5. Youth movement
Expectedly, Dwyane Wade was the best player on the floor on Thursday, scoring 21 points in 21 minutes. But unexpectedly, Chris Douglas-Roberts may have been the second best.

In 28 minutes of playing time, Douglas-Roberts scored 18 points on 9-of-15 shooting, while also picking up six boards and three steals. At one point in the second quarter, he scored six straight buckets for the Nets, fully responsible for a 12-2 run. It was just one game, but it made you wonder how so many NBA GM's passed on the first-team All-American before the Nets finally nabbed him with the 40th pick in the draft.

Two of the Nets' young bigs, Brook Lopez and Yi Jianlian did not play in Paris, with Lawrence Frank choosing to give them extended minutes in one game rather than short minutes in two. So Lopez and Yi will make their Nets debuts in London while two of the other bigs rest.

Europe Live will continue when New Orleans and Washington meet in Berlin (Oct. 14) and Barcelona (Oct. 17).

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