Live Game Thread: Brooklyn Nets at Miami Heat, 3:30pm EST

These Sunday afternoon games seem to sneak up on you, don’t they?

Brooklyn is in Miami where they’ll take on the Jimmy Butler-less (ankle) Heat at 3:30 pm EST. The Nets will be without James Harden, again, but will have Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in the lineup.

Miami has lost three straight games and are 0-2 against the Nets on the season. Victor Oladipo is also out for the Heat.

You can join us on NetsDaily Clubhouse post-game. Details below:

WHO: Brooklyn Nets (38-18) at Miami Heat (28-28)

WHEN: 3:30 PM EST

WHERE: ESPN (national), YES (local), WFAN (radio)

Game Preview.

The key to the game may very well be the Heat defense. Miami is 4-20 when allowing 109 points or more, 24-8 when holding teams to 108 or fewer. The Nets are of course the most efficient offense in NBA history and over the last three are averaging 121.3 points a game. In their three-game losing streak, the Heat has given up 116 per.

One other thing about the Nets: The media has focused on their injuries, the “Big Three’s” lack of chemistry, LaMarcus Aldridge’s retirement and their franchise record 29 different starting lineups (and a franchise record 26 players). All that said...

They.just.keep.winning.

They have the fourth best record in the NBA, are a game behind the 76ers in the East and 20 games over .500. Last time that happened was back in 2001-02. They’re 24-6 since they lost ignominiously to the Pistons on February 9. That’s an 80 percent clip. ‘Nuff said.

For more on the Heat, check out Hot Hot Hoops.