James has played on his birthday five times during his nine-year career, but Friday was just his second victory on Dec. 30. While his teams historically haven’t faired well on his birthday, James has averaged more than 35 points per game. “My birthday and my mom’s birthday are the two days I feel real, real good about playing basketball,” James said. James and the Heat returned to Miami immediately following Friday’s game, and the team will enjoy an off day on New Year’s Eve.
The Heat plays a home back-to-back against Charlotte and Atlanta on Sunday and Monday. James will be celebrating both his birthday and New Year’s Eve on Saturday.“We don’t have a curfew, but we’ll be ready come Sunday,” James said.Best birthday gift James ever received?“My 18th birthday,” said James, coyly. “I got a Hummer on that day.”GROWING
PAINSRookie point guard Norris Cole struggled in the second game of his first home-away back-to-back. After exploding for 20 points against the Celtics on Tuesday, Cole was 2 of 8 from the field for five points on Wednesday against Charlotte. He then took the day off on Thursday, choosing to rest rather than attend an optional practice.“It was an adjustment; it was different,” Cole said. “But it’s something I can definitely get used to. I’m going to have to, obviously.”
Adjusting againFormer Heat first-round pick Michael Beasley is adapting to yet another coach this season. In his four seasons in the NBA, Beasley has now had three different coaches. Heat guard Dwyane Wade said Friday that Beasley’s latest coach, veteran Rick Adelman, will be a good fit for both Beasley and the Timberwolves, an underachieving team with plenty of talent. “I think the best thing to happen for him and for this organization is bringing in Adelman,” Wade said. “You’ve seen what he did in Houston with that team. With the athleticism [the Timberwolves] have, with the talent they have, bringing him in to kind of let those guys go and be themselves and figure it out …”Wade
CLARIFICATIONMuch was made of Wade’s game-winning shot against Charlotte in the hour following the Heat’s victory Wednesday. At issue was whether or not Wade traveled. The NBA clarified the non-call on its website, explaining that Wade’s preshot hop served as one step and his pivot to the left counted as his second step.