Miami is the better team, but I really don't think Miami is a terrible match up for us. They have no dominant inside shot blocking presence (17th in block percentage). We have a significant size advantage. They're not very good at defending the 3 (18th in opponent 3pt percentage). They're average in transition (17th in fast break ppg, 20th in fast break efficiency), and very good defending in transition (#2 in opponent fast break ppg, #4 in opponent fast break efficiency). I wouldn't expect a lot of easy transition scoring from the Rockets tonight unless we have multiple players going out on the break. Our fast break players are going to have to be VERY aware of the chase down (stop and pops and dunks on fast breaks will be crucial) as well as multiple men running on the break. You really don't want it to be just one Rockets player on the break with Lebron chasing him down. We're underdogs, but I think we're not huge under dogs tonight especially if we get our inside/outside game working and take extra special care of the ball (Miami is 11th in steals per game, 7th in steals per defensive play). I think we need to rack the pressure on early. Attack the paint through drives and our bigs (high passes since we have the size advantage in the front court), get them in foul trouble, and keep the ball movement very fast for open 3's. The Miami bench is weak, so if we run the game fast enough (Miami is 20th in pace) we can tire out their starters and then they're in trouble. Even Lebron can't run transition Defense for 40+ minutes and still score efficiently. We'll still probably lose, but we got a decent shot at sneaking out with a win in Miami.
If the bench can produce it will be a huge WIN. So I am hoping that Douglas, Anderson, Smith and Morris will have a good game. Key factor: bench
I said I would be happy if we took at least one of GS and the Heat...I just hope we put up a good fight.
No its a ritual at least 1 person must mention Durant going off on us in every game thread. That said Durant goes off on us once again damn him and his long arms!!
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Chris Bosh (cold) is a game time decision for tonight.</p>— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) <a href="https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/299184848164253696">February 6, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Spo on the Rockets: They have the fastest tempo in the league. We'll have to get out of our comfort zone to get them out of theirs.</p>— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) <a href="https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/299186323607146496">February 6, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>.@<a href="https://twitter.com/kingjames">kingjames</a> on the Rockets: We have to get a lot of pressure on them and contest those shots.</p>— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) <a href="https://twitter.com/MiamiHEAT/status/299189636000002049">February 6, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Perhaps some of us are getting last night's game into our heads. I don't have to tell y'all that Miami is the defending champs with Lebron... I highly doubt the 3 shots will fall as they did against GSW, so Rockets gotta pound the paint, feed Asik and and Smith; that is where they are weakest. Miami has pretty good perimeter D and Bosh may or may not be playing. I do believe Asik is, yet again, key to winning the game.. or at least not getting blown out.
