Here we go, ladies and gentlemen. The NBA postseason for the last few weeks has been pulling our strings--see Heat vs. Pacers Game 7--as we know it and it comes down to a survival match for the Heat on their home floor tonight. The Spurs have a chance at cooling down the Heat and putting icing on the cake if they can hold Miami down. Of course, if they can’t, it will lead to a daunting Game 7 putting us closer to our TV Screens or seats later on this week.
In the 2011 Finals, Dallas went to Miami up 3-2. 48 minutes later, the Mavericks were dancing in South Beach. This time, the Spurs come to emulate the Mavericks, hoping to repeat what happened two years ago.
Danny Green-light. That’s his nickname after setting a Finals record for most three-pointers in a series.
Chris Bosh said during practice before Game 6, “He has a knack for shooting, but he won’t be open tonight.”
Green responded, “We have so many threats out there on the floor, that they can’t just focus on one guy.”
Exactly. All the Spurs attackers are deadly. Pinning down Green, while watching for Duncan and Parker on pick-and-rolls, will be key to the Heat’s defense.
We can’t blame Norris Cole for failing at guarding Tony Parker. But some better adjustments need to be made. Parker blew by his wide range of defenders including Mike Miller, Shane Battier, and Dwyane Wade all on pick-and-rolls.
Ray Allen, Mike Miller, and Shane Battier are only a portion of players on the Heat who can shoot outside the line. No more isolation ball from Dwyane Wade and more passing to these shooters in transition.
LeBron James shot 8-22 guarded by Boris Diaw and Kawhi Leonard last Sunday. As hard as it may be, it is an elimination game for James. He will need to drive and overcome his defender no matter what.
Another thing: We should be expecting no misses on easy buckets (see Game 6 LeBron’s missed alley-oop).
Those dunks make it exciting, after all.
