It's not yet time to jump off the cliff of despair, Heat fans.
Yes, the Heat suddenly feels like the underdog in this series. (That was the theme of today's preview of Game 4. Here's the link. CLICK ME!) But I'm not ready to write off the Heat just yet.
Dwyane Wade enters Game 4 less than healthy, but the Heat still has the best player in the game (LeBron James). Give me a determined James and I like my chances in any game. Here are three things that need to happen for the Heat to swing momentum in this series back in its favor:
1. An average game from Wade.
Wade doesn't have to blow up for 30 points today for the Heat to beat the Pacers. An 18-point effort combined with solid defense is all the Heat needs from Wade. Wade checked out mentally in the third quarter of Game 3. Obviously, that can't happen today. Wade can still contribute in other ways today if his jumper is off. Offensively, attacking the basket will be Wade's priority. If he can get to the line 10 times, the Heat will win.
2. Rebounding from LeBron James.
James had a postseason career high in rebounding in the Game 1 and the Heat won. The Pacers' greatest strength in this series is their height advantage. James can neutralize that advantage if he focuses his efforts in the paint.
3. Six three-pointers
The Heat doesn't need to shoot the lights out to beat the Pacers. Six three-pointers should be enough. Shane Battier must find his jumper early in the game. Battier was 0 of 6 from distance in Game 4. Mike Miller was 2 of 3 from three-point range in Game 4. If he duplicates that total and the Heat finds four more three-pointers from Battier, Chalmers and James Jones that should be enough.
We'll revisit this post after the game to see how the predictions held up.
Don't forget we need a few points from Haslem, JA, and Turiaf...
Posted by: derbani1976 | Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 12:55 PM
The Heat needs to rebound, rebound and rebound! in doing so, Lebron needs to play no 3 and not power forward. Use haslem and howard as power forward and anthony and turiaf as center. If they win the rebound battle, they win the series. Rebounds mean fastbreaks for the heat.If they rebound, they can run. If they don't. then they will not be able to run. That's it with the heat's famous running game. I hope Spoeltra sees this truth!
Posted by: Ricky Raz | Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 01:08 PM
1. Have fun. Good to see Wade smiling the other day during his visit with Tom Crean. Yes, the game is your job. But it's hard to excel at something you hate. FORGET Wade Inc & all that that implies. Set aside, even, the Flash from 2006. Remember Dwyane Wade, circa 2003, and the almost pure joy of playing the game you once & can still relearn to luv.
2. Box out. Easy to say, harder to remember, only works when everyone does it. "Just do it."
3. Team ball isn't just about giving up the rock. It means EVERYONE -- not just the 3rd, 4th or 5th cog -- picking, screening, chipping, flashing, helping, stopping, digging, contesting, boarding for each other. There's no mystery to a Spurs system that's suddenly so vogue. The 'beauty' of Spurs basketball is ... accountability ... on BOTH ends of the floor.
So let's GO Heat, one win at time.
Posted by: taheati | Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 01:11 PM
Let's go Heat.
I hope today sets the tone for the rest of the series. Play like ur life or job is on the line. Rebound, Get some calls early and often. I want to see hibbert on the bench or on a poster midway thru the first.
Haslem chin check Granger and put people in they place. U should be Lebron goon squad. He shouldn't have to get his hands dirty with lightweights.
Be more physical than Indiana. They can't guard without fouling.
3rd best in the league
U can't play if ur on the bench with fouls.
Posted by: Dashi | Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 01:58 PM
Keys to win against the Pacers:
1. Bench stepping up: this means rebounding, defense and threepointers off the bench.
2. Security on the center position, the uncertainty with the loss of Bosh and the switches made with Turiaf, Anthony, Pittman and Haslem contribute to bad games in an important position against the tall Pacers.
3. Wade staying focused, that means at least a double digit score, solid defence and no bickering with opponents or the ref.
Posted by: MMoerbeek | Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 02:37 PM
1. Draw Hibbert into foul trouble early.
2. Deny everything from the perimeter and force the Pacers to man you up in the paint.
3. Twenty - points in bench scoring.
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Posted by: William Thomas | Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 02:44 PM
http://thoughtsofajeanius.com/2012/05/18/espns-stephen-a-smith-says-the-miami-heat-should-trade-dwayne-wade-chris-bosh-for-dwight-howard/#comment-4307
U guys like what Stephen a says here. Actually, to get Dwight for bosh and wade does make sense. Both bron and Howard r 26/27 and would dominate, and Orlando WILL NOT get a bosh and a wade in any other deal. Plus, Howard could leave next summer like bron and bosh did and orl gets nothin. Yes they r division rivals, but they gotta do something in Orlando with that drama and Riley as u all kno loves bigs. Howard and Lebron would be magic and Kareem. Kobe shaq but better due to young age. I know bosh is hurt, wade is Miamis fav son, but rings r rings. Why wouldn't Orlando do it? I'd take Turkoglu salary If they thru in Ryan Anderson. Man, they would b nice and 2 keep chalmers. Hey, Riley traded glen rice 4 mourning. Traded odom grant an butler for a 34 yr old shaq. Wades 31 next season. Do it pat.
Posted by: Dom | Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 04:55 PM