The past two games have been two Pauly D’s standing next to each other, back to back blowouts. After three games it’s difficult to know what to make of these two teams, game one was tightly contested, but the last two have been laughers. The one constant throughout all three games is that the Spurs are not going to let Lebron attack the basket. Miami’s game two victory was earned by their role players not “the Decision”maker, and San Antonio can thank Kawhi Leaonard for making that happen. Leonard is playing superb defense on Lebron, not allowing him an ounce of penetration and forcing him to remain in distribution mode, Lebron’s least lethal of modes. Bosh and Wade are contributing at their now mid-level-NBA-player best, Miami simply isn’t going to get any more out of them. Bosh should be in the paint and Wade should be slashing, but after three games, they’re just not going to change. Had it not been for Mike Miller and his impeccable 5-5 three point shooting, game three would have been even uglier than it was, and Mike Miller knows a lot about ugly (Sorry Mike, it’s a cheapshot, but there is nothing acceptable about your current physical appearance, cut your hair, shave that thing you seem to think is some sort of beard.).
The Spurs again got almost nothing out of Ginobili, just 7 points and 6 assists off the bench. Manu seems to be off his rhythm, his normally above average outside shooting isn’t there for him. Many a player and analyst will tell you the only way out of a shooting slump is to shoot your way out of it, this is true, but sometimes it’s easier on your teammates if you just go to the rack. Ginobili is going to have to find his shot, but it might be easier if he gets himself going by attempting a couple of higher percentage shots rather than coming in throwing threes like he’s playing some back alley dice game in Buenos Aires. Tony Parker is another Spur that didn’t factor into game three, apparently he injured himself and given the score his services were not needed early in the game. He’s going to play game four and they will need him, at some point he is going to have to take over a game as he has done all season. Duncan was steady with 12 points and 14 rebounds, he is another Spur that is going to have to step up for game four. Kawhi Leaonard mirrored Duncan with 14 points and 12 rebounds, but as earlier mentioned it was his defense that dictated the game. Leonard’s production to this point is where it should be and he has been consistent with it.
But let’s be real, game three was really all about…
It’s NBA JAM and Danny Green and Gary Neal are on fire. 51 points combined on shooting that no team could have been prepared to defend. Danny Green finished with 27 points on 7-9 shooting from behind the three point line, sharp shooting that would make the Alamo’s finest proud. Gary Neal added 24 points while shooting 6-10 from behind the arc, outscoring everyone that played in game three, except for Green of course. There was no way Miami was prepared for this onslaught, and honestly there is no fault in that, no one expected Green and Neal to provide that scoring punch. There is little to analyze of their offense and the defense played, were they left open too often? Look no further than the final score for that answer, however, if two role players are going to do that amount of damage there’s nothing Miami can do to stop the Spurs. Luckily for the Heat, Green and Neal will not score like that again for the series, they were hot, they will cool off.
What does Miami do moving forward? They have to get Lebron involved early and often. In every game of these Finals, Miami’s first offensive plays have been through Wade and Bosh, they’ve had their chance, if he wants a ring, Lebron is going to have to score. Remember when Lebron first came in to the NBA and he was supposed to be the next Magic, he was going to play point guard and he was going to lead the league in assists. Didn’t last long. If Lebron is on your team your best chance at victory is him as your primary and secondary scorers. Tonight’s game is incredibly pivotal, if San Antonio wins it’s all but over, if Miami can pull it out, they’re right back in it. Although all three games have been very different, the one thing that’s certain is for the Heat to win, Lebron has to show up in scoring mode, his most lethal mode.
.jpg){kind=link}