The Miami Heat are 8-6 on the season.

The lack of an interior presence is a big reason the Heat is hurting at both ends of the floor.

BY PAUL JONES
sportsnet.ca

So how about that team in Miami huh? Woa!

Everyone thought it would take some time for the team have roles defined but after the recent loss to Indiana, there's a whole lot of head-scratching going on.

Dwayne Wade finished with the third worst scoring night of his career as he had only three points on 1-of-13 from the floor.

But even when the Big 3 of Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh aren't struggling, the Heat still have issues. Miami is 30th -- dead last -- in the NBA when it comes to inside scoring and points in the paint. On average, they are outscored by opponents 39-33 in that category each game.

It seems like many teams are following the lead of the Boston Celtics and just packing in the defence against Miami and saying "beat us from out there" -- particularly in screen-and-roll situations. There are a number of ways to defend one of the NBA's most-executed plays and currently many teams are giving up the outside shot against the Heat, figuring it is the lesser of all evils.

That doesn't mean Miami is not getting into the paint and to the free-throw line as they are third in the NBA garnering close to 31 attempts per game with 80 per cent of those attempts coming from James, Wade and Bosh. But currently, Miami doesn't have a threat down low and come playoff time that will be even more of an issue.

It sure sounds like help is on the way for Miami. With Udonis Haslem scheduled for surgery to repair a ligament in his left foot, Erick Dampier will most likely be signed in the very near future once they make a roster move to clear a spot for him.

And then there's this folks. Director of the NBA Players' Association Billy Hunter is not optimistic about the talks with NBA owners.

It sure doesn't sound like the two sides are working toward any kind of common ground right now which means the NBA could be headed for a lockout. Stay tuned.

Hey, how about "Captain Canada" Steve Nash hitting a milestone against Houston as he scored his 15,000th point in the win over the Rockets.

Alright, I know it's a few days old but I'm still shaking my head about Los Angeles Clippers rookie Blake Griffin's performance on Saturday against the New York Knicks. Not just the 44-point, 15-rebound performance but the way he did it.

For those of you who were ready to debate me on Dwight Howard's dunk in the Slam Dunk Contest a few years back when he busted out the Superman cape, saying it wasn't a dunk, I always say: When you're up that high, you don't need to touch the rim. Back in my day when the dunk was illegal, the real high flyers could "swish dunk" and get away with it. Sort of like throwing something in the garbage can.

Hey, you tell Timofey Mozov it wasn't a dunk!! He didn't know what hit him. And by the way, Danilo Gallinari, he got you too.