It’s not quite the Ringling Bros., but the Miami Heat is certainly drawing circus-like attention this season.
“There’s no question that there’s a show coming to town,” Nuggets coach George Karl said after practice Wednesday.
Tonight at the Pepsi Center, the Nuggets get their first look at the Heat and its trio of all-stars — LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The Nuggets face a team that has won nine consecutive games and is nearing the NBA record with 13 consecutive road victories. The 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers set the league mark when they won 16 in a row on the road.
“They’re rolling, man,” Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups said. “Steamrolling. When they get stops and cause turnovers, when they’re in transition, they’re almost unstoppable.”
It took a month or two for the Heat to click, though. After all the debate about whether Miami would make a run at the Chicago Bulls’ record for most wins in a season (72), set in 1995-96, the Heat started the season 9-8.
Since, Miami is 21-1, including 15-1 in December.
“You put three players like that together, eventually they’re going to gel,” Nuggets guard Ty Lawson said.
James and Wade shared the Eastern Conference player of the month honors for December. The duo combined to average more than 53 points per game.
“The reason I think they’re good is they play with such mental toughness and energy,” Karl said. “I mean, they’re a talented bunch of guys, but they’re also a ‘play hard’ bunch of guys. Playing hard is so important to this game. When you get confused or when you lose your confidence, you get a little distraction or a confrontation, what usually goes out the window first is playing with energy.”
And when the Heat brings it, it really brings it.
“They play hard, they play defense,” Karl added. “I mean they have three of the best offensive players and two of the best defensive players. When Wade and LeBron want to shut you down, they’ll shut you down.”
Billups doesn’t think a team stacked with all-star talent was good for the NBA.
“I’d like it better to watch those two dudes play against each other,” he said. “I like (watching) competition, and those are two of the greatest players. I enjoyed that as a fan.”
Carmelo Anthony, muddled in trade drama and speculation since the offseason, will find a sympathizer in James. Anthony said he talks with Wade and James often.
“They understand (my situation), especially LeBron,” Anthony said. “It’s kind of different for me because I’m playing through it. He tells me to stay strong.”
Tonight’s game is the first of two for the Nuggets against the Heat this season. They play at Miami on March 19 to finish a four-game road trip.
Staff reporter Benjamin Hochman contributed to this report.
Ryan Casey: 303-954-1294 or rcasey@denverpost.com
