(That title sounds like something Jason Jackson would say, or has already said)
I kind of feel bad for calling the Heat a one-man team in my game story because other guys came up big in spots, but man was Wade sick Tuesday. When he hit that three to start the fourth, I saw that he had 30 points and was shocked. It didn't seem like he was having that kind of game.
Some thoughts from the game:
-Jack Nies (father of former 'Real World' cast member Eric Nies) needs to retire, immediately. Not sure how he's so highly thought of that he gets to do Finals games, because I honestly don't think he sees the game anymore. I said this several times during the regular season and earlier in the playoffs. He just reacts to things he thinks he sees. Some of the fouls he called were horrible. And the technical on Dwyane for hanging on the rim? I mean, Erick Dampier hangs on the rim longer every time he dunks (which is frighteningly about as much as Shaq these days).
-The biggest plays of that comeback may have been the free throws from Shaq to keep the Heat within three, and Udonis, who had missed his first four foul shots, hitting two easily to give the Heat the lead.
-Pat showed some smarts by inserting Jason Williams in the fourth when the Heat needed to score, and then putting Payton on the floor with him. I think Dwyane can handle guarding any Mavs small forward, so why not leave Gary and Jason out there together? In both of the Heat's fourth quarter rallies (Games 2 and 3) Jason was on the floor making plays. That's important against a team that's so good offensively like the Mavs.
-Pat might also want to cut down Antoine's minutes by five or so. I mean, he has really struggled in this series (other than some meaningless points in Game 2), and James Posey can spread the floor just as well, maybe better. Only one of those two guys hit a big three Tuesday, and it wasn't Toine.
-Udonis Haslem, eight offensive rebounds. Dallas Mavericks, seven offensive rebounds.
-I know people will say the Heat stole one and it won't happen again, but the Heat played just plain AWFUL in the first 42 minutes, committed 20 turnovers and missed 12 free throws by players not named O'Neal. So there is PLENTY of room for improvement if Miami calms down and plays basketball.
-Lastly, a list of things that won't happen again in this series: Jerry Stackhouse going 1 of 9... Erick Dampier scoring 14 points on 6 of 7 shooting... Shaq committing seven turnovers... Shaq and Udonis picking Jason Terry and Nowitzki, respectively, at the top of the circle... Jack Nies officiating.
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