Can you feel the Heat?

MIAMI (AP) -- Miami Heat traveled to San Antonio for their first road trip of the season. Miami definitely had the momentum going into this game in consideration of both teams post season performances the previous year with the Heat going all the way to the NBA finals and the San Antonio being defeated in the first round by the eighth seed. Of course, that didn't mean the Heat's were going to underestimate Duncan, Ginobili, Parker and the depth of the Spurs as a whole.

The first quarter started off slow for both teams, each exchanging leads through and through but the Heat successfully coming away with the five point lead going into the second quarter. Duncan having a good game not only in the first quarter but throughout the rest of the inter-conference battle (20 pts, 13 rebounds, 1 block, 66.6% fg, 100% ft) but his squad unfortunately weren't doing as good. The once 5 point lead turned into a 13 point lead going into the second half of the game. Ginobili suffered considerable which showed at the end (3/19 fg, 2 turnovers, 0/11 3pt) along with Tony Parker who missed most of the second quarter due to foul trouble and turned from an assist machine to a turnover machine (1/8 fg, 6 tunovers). Spurs still had another bright side in Jefferson who had 18 points but ultimately, with their team under-performing, the Miami simply took advantage.

The Heat carried the first half momentum into the third quarter, leading the quarter by over 10 pts and the game as a whole by 26 points into the fourth. LeBron has another awe-inspiring performance (25 pts, over 50% shooting, 3 rebounds & 8 steals) along with his other big three compadres, Dwyane Wade (19 pts, 7/12, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks but 3 turnovers), Chris Bosh (14 points, 7/11, 7 rebounds). It wasn't simply the big three that allowed them to win but the performance of overshadowed point guard Mario Chalmers who despite his terrible shooting (0/6 fg, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 block) & center Zydraunas Ilgauskas (6 points, 11 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block).

All in all, Heat are showing that they can take it to even the bigger teams in the West, however, the worrying case here is the San Antonio Spurs. A 10 pt loss is understandble but 20 points really makes the fans question what's lying in the future of the Spurs, is it time to get rid of Tim Duncan, to rebuild for a new era and move on from the past, they certainly seem to think so. Manu Ginobili has had trade rumors brought up and while he wants to stay in the Spurs, it seems as if San Antonio are looking to cash in on him while he's still in, even potential packed big man's, Dejuan Blair and Tiago Splitter are being shopped around. What's in the future of the Spurs, we're not sure yet, this might just be a blemish on their record, the Heat on the other hand have their biggest rivals, the Dallas Mavericks to look forward to, next game.

+ Heat have announced the release of veteran star Jamal Magloire & lights out shooter, James Jones. This comes as to no surprise in consideration of the fact that the Heat already have Erik Dampier & Joel Anthony as back ups at the center position and James Jones hasn't been performing as well as Erik would like.

+Heat have signed Jake Robinson, a potential packed three point shooter at just 24 years old (92 3pt, 61 ovr) who will likely be taking the role of James Jones. Cartier Martin was also offered a contract.

+Heat have offered Mario Chalmers, Udonis Haslem, Joel Anthony for Jordan Hill, Johnny Flynn & a 2nd Round pick. The goal obviously being for the squad to acquire Flynn and they're willing to lose a back-up center and downgrade at the power forward reserve position to acquire the second string point guard out of Houston.

Zydraunas Ilgauska has announced the retirement of a 15 year career at 36 years old. Ilgauskas who has averaged 13 points and 7 rebounds along with 2 blocks across his above average career is finally hanging the boots and here's to hoping that Miami can bring him a championship before he leaves the league. Ilgauskas doesn't have much to show in terms of awards other than 2 all-star appearances in 2003 and 2005 along with a 1st Team All-Rookie award in 1998 but he's been a long time loyal member of the Cleveland Cavaliers and a great person overall. The Miami and LeBron James specifically wish him a great post-NBA career.