Tag Archive for: Miami Heat

Game Three Heroics to Game Four Adjustments

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After a huge win that the Miami Heat capitalized on in game three over the Los Angeles Lakers, you may not expect many changes. But there will be.

For starters, there may be yet another rotational change in game four, since there is a chance that Bam Adebayo could return. But what does this mean for Miami’s starting lineup?

Many would probably expect Bam to enter the lineup in the place of Meyers Leonard, but I’m not sure that’s the route Coach Erik Spoelstra will go. It has clearly been effective when using Meyers Leonard or Kelly Olynyk when Dwight Howard is in the game, which means they will probably give Meyers the first 6 minutes to take that match-up.

So if it’s not Meyers, who will Bam Adebayo start in front of if he plays?

I believe the move will be to put Tyler Herro back into a bench role. Now, he’s clearly one of their most effective scorers, but just because he’s not starting, doesn’t mean he won’t play 35+ minutes.

This means that Jimmy Butler will play the one, which matches up well with the Lakers since LeBron James has been playing the point for them. And obviously with an adjustable coach like Erik Spoelstra, he can make a switch at any time.

If Miami doesn’t decide to go this route, they will probably decide to just put Bam Adebayo back at the five as they did in game one. This means that their starting lineup will be the death lineup that I’ve talked about prior to the NBA bubble. Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Jimmy Butler, Jae Crowder, and Bam Adebayo would look to try and blow the doors off early in the first quarter, which is usually when they throw their strongest punch.

Miami also will have to keep some strategic things that they used in game three.

For one, they will need to continue to be physical with Anthony Davis and other bigs. Since their offense runs on the production of AD, it’ll be crucial to try and slow him down. This also means to continue to be energetic and emphatic on grabbing rebounds. Miami made it clear that they were going to make sure to dominate in that area, since the film showed that’s what lost them game two.

Another thing they will have to continue defensively is going away from the zone. That adjustment in game three gave them the defensive edge that they needed. The zone may have got them here in some instances, but it ultimately isn’t effective against this team, which was a huge adjustment on Erik Spoelstra’s part.

As much as the Lakers have been talking about watching film and making adjustments for game four, so is Miami. They will be physically prepared, and more importantly mentally prepared.

It is that next man up mentality, but as Jae Crowder said after game three, it is also that “next game up mentality.” Jimmy Butler and others will be ready for the challenge.

 

5 Takeaways from Heat’s Incredible Game Three Win

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The Miami Heat pulled out an incredible win in game three against the Lakers, 115-104. This was behind the incredible performance of Jimmy Butler. Here are five takeaways…

#1: Jimmy Butler plays with fire in first half explosion.

Jimmy Butler came out in game two looking to score, but game three was even better. He had 19 points, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds at the half, but stats cannot explain what Jimmy was doing on the floor. Constant energy and intensity on both sides of the floor, which is contagious for his teammates. He made sure to let everybody know that if they grab rebounds, they can win. That message seemed to be fresh in everyone’s minds since there was an eagerness to be aggressive on the boards. Jimmy’s leadership was also on full display tonight as well. Not only with the ball in his hands, but also his voice after plays. He constantly would let the young guys know when they did something wrong, which is much needed at this point in the finals. Jimmy further proved that he has the ability to flip a switch, not just scoring, but doing everything on the basketball court.

#2: Early turnovers for Lakers turn into Heat offense.

Turnovers for the Lakers were the story of the first quarter, since it seemed they just could not get into a rhythm. The Lakers had 14 turnovers at the half, LeBron James and Anthony Davis combining for 9 of them. Miami’s defensive plan going in was to make these guys uncomfortable, which is exactly what they did. Jimmy Butler, Jae Crowder, and Andre Iguodala were at the forefront of that, utilizing their defensive IQ. This ultimately allowed Jimmy Butler and others to get more possessions on the offensive end, which they were capitalizing on. Anthony Davis had some rough first half minutes due to Miami’s intensity, which was key for this team going into game three down 0-2.

#3: Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro early struggles, still gave Miami a 4 point halftime lead.

Not many would’ve believed that the Heat would lead by four at the half with Tyler Herro shooting 1 for 8 from the field and Duncan Robinson shooting 1 for 5 from deep. But well, it happened. Tyler Herro was going to be a key piece heading in, since he’s a guy that can replicate some things that Goran Dragic brings offensively. Duncan also had a tough time since the shots were not falling. This led to him penetrating and utilizing the other parts of his game, and when Duncan attacks, good things usually happen. These shooting struggles clearly were temporary, since both Tyler and Duncan hit a three to start the third quarter.

#4: Kelly Olynyk and Meyers Leonard give quality minutes in the absence of Bam Adebayo.

Meyers Leonard obviously only played for some short spurts, and they were some quality minutes. 7 points going 3 for 3 from the field definitely was a boost to this team. Also he obviously brings the vocal side of things when on the floor, which makes the young guys more comfortable on the defensive end. Kelly Olynyk on the other hand didn’t have a great start to the game, but bounced back in the third quarter. His ability to be such a threat from beyond the arc was crucial for Miami tonight, especially since it forces the Lakers bigs to go out to the perimeter. This was a big reason Jimmy Butler was able to attack so well, since he thrives when he plays with a floor spacer like Kelly.

#5: The Miami Heat’s statement game fully displayed Heat culture.

This is the ultimate takeaway: A statement game. That’s exactly what this Jimmy Butler led team did in game three. When everyone doubted, this team didn’t lack an ounce of confidence. That’s because of two words: Heat culture. This was the ultimate representation of this. A coaching adjustment when two of your starters get injured, your star player showing he can flip the switch, and the role players stepping up to play their new roles. If that doesn’t prove Heat culture, I don’t know what does. This game three win means more than both of the Lakers wins. Now, the momentum has completely shifted. And Bam Adebayo could possibly return in game four. As Jimmy Butler said during the game, “They are in trouble.”

5 Takeaways from Heat’s Game Two Loss to Lakers

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The Miami Heat were without Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic in game two, which led to a loss, 124-114. Jimmy Butler battled throughout, while others stepped up into the rotation. Here are five takeaways from the game…

#1: Jimmy Butler controls the pace early by doing everything on offensive end.

It was obvious that Jimmy Butler was going to need to take control of the offense in game two, and he did it in the most Jimmy Butler way. He continued to try and get his teammates going, which led to him dishing out eight assists in the first half. But when the three point shots aren’t falling, which will be discussed down the line, it’s tough for him to continue to play this way. He was doing everything he possibly could to try and get Miami this win, but there’s ony so much you can do without Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic. He did control the pace early as well, getting to the free throw line to try and slow the game down. This was just another representation of that Jimmy Butler impact.

#2: The Lakers control the paint once again.

The Los Angeles Lakers continued to take advantage of their length in game two, which led to them working the ball inside the paint. The zone definitely wasn’t helping either, since they seemed to have it figured out. Anthony Davis would cut down the baseline, which led to a bunch of easy layups and dunks. It’s also no easier to control Anthony Davis when Bam Adebayo isn’t on the floor. It was clear the Lakers would take advantage of this going in, but Miami needs to take advantage of their own strength, which is three point shooting. If they don’t capitalize on that, it’ll be tough for them to win.

#3: Six first half threes won’t cut it.

The three point shooting in the first half wasn’t ideal for Miami, only hitting 6 threes. Duncan Robinson’s 1 for 6 from deep in the first half was no help either, and with him struggling, it’s an even harder task for Jimmy Butler. Ultimately, even though the threes weren’t falling, you must continue to get the shots up. The only way you can get yourself back into the game is to play to your strengths, which is the shooting once again. Playing without Goran Dragic definitely hurt them offensively as well, since he’s a guy that they can always look to when the offense is choppy. The Duncan Robinson struggles may have had something to do with Bam not being out there, due to dribble hand-offs, screens, and the option of passing out of shot attempts to the roller.

#4: Anthony Davis’ outstanding performance is hard to beat.

Anthony Davis just showed once again why he is a star in this league. He was going to need to take control of this game, since he had a favorable match-up with Bam Adebayo out. He was doing it from absolutely everywhere on the floor, especially around the rim on offensive rebounds. Miami clearly couldn’t compete with AD above the rim due to the lack of bigs with that type of athleticism. He scored 32 points on 75% shooting, and grabbed 14 rebounds. And once again, when you don’t have Bam Adebayo to guard him one-on-one and play the zone, it makes it that much worse. There’s no way to stop Anthony Davis, but having Bam Adebayo out there to try and slow him down would’ve been pretty valuable.

#5: Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic were clearly missed.

This obviously goes without saying, but Miami missed Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic tonight. For starters, Bam Adebayo on the defensive end was much needed. A guy that you can throw at the offensively gifted Anthony Davis, but more importantly a guy that can thrive down low in the zone. Also, his screen setting and play-making abilities were missed offensively, which was a major reason the shooting wasn’t at their elite levels. Goran Dragic was also needed, since he would’ve been key in getting the offense flowing. His ability to attack the basket draws so much attention, that it opens up shooters as well. And lets not forget how great of a shooter Goran can be when called upon. Once again, it goes without saying, but Miami needs their offensive and defensive engines to win.

Goran Dragic out for NBA Finals Game 2 as expected

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Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic has been ruled out for game 2 of the NBA Finals, joining Heat big man Bam Adebayo on the list of players sidelined. Dragic suffered a plantar tear in his left foot in the first half of game 1. 

 

 

 

Both Dragic and Adebayo were listed as doubtful. Adebayo is expected to be able to return some time during the series. There is less optimism surrounding Goran. 

 

 

 

Dragic has been Miami’s leading scoring during its run to the NBA Finals. Rookie guard Kendrick Nunn will have to fill the void in Goran’s absence. Nunn scored 18 points in game one, which could help return some of his confidence after struggling during the postseason. Expect Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro to also pick up some of the scoring load.

 

Game two will tip-off at 9 p.m. tonight.

 

Royal Shepherd (@RoyalAShepherd) has written for several major newspapers, including the Tallahassee Democrat and the Augusta Chronicle, and now contributes to Five Reasons Sports.

Bam Adebayo Will Miss Game Two

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It’s official that Bam Adebayo will miss game two of the NBA finals with a neck strain.

The only good news reported with this injury, is that there is hope that he can return in game three. Bam hasn’t missed many games over the last two seasons, but this one is pretty crucial.

This does mean that some other role players will need to step up, including Kelly Olynyk who will most likely be starting in his place. Kelly will be looked towards to take advantage of some things that Bam doesn’t do, which is spreading the floor with his shooting abilities. If he can get going, it’ll be a big help for this Heat team.

But obviously Bam can’t be replaced, since he just does so many things on the court. Jimmy Butler will be looked towards to step up as the star he is for game two, and hopefully get his co-star back in game three.

Without Bam Adebayo it’ll be tough, but it’s not impossible.

5 Takeaways from Heat’s Loss in Game One of NBA Finals

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The Miami Heat lost to the Los Angeles Lakers, 116-98, on a tough night for Miami. The loss wasn’t the worst part of the night for Miami, since they suffered some tough injuries throughout. Here are my takeaways from this game…

#1: Jimmy Butler lives up to “Jimmy Buckets” nickname out of the gate.

The beginning of the first quarter was looking pretty promising for Miami, since their offense was clicking behind the attack of Jimmy Butler. He came out with that offensive aggression once again, even hitting two early threes in the corner. He’s a guy that is fairly capable of doing this, but he knows that the team plays better when everyone else gets rolling. Jimmy went down with an apparent ankle injury towards the end of the second quarter, but seemed to be okay. It’s clear that Miami needs a 100% healthy Jimmy Butler for Miami to win some games in this series, but ultimately it’ll take a lot more than just Jimmy.

#2: Los Angeles Lakers’ role players step up, which were shots that Miami was going to allow.

Miami’s game-plan heading into this series with the Lakers was clear, double team LeBron James and Anthony Davis when they get the ball in their spots, and make the others around them beat you. And well, that’s exactly what the role guys did. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope got going early, while Kyle Kuzma, Danny Green, and others followed right behind. Ultimately, this will not be the case going forward. Miami will continue to make those guys hit shots, and if they do, they will live with that. A lot of that though falls on their defensive issues, which will be discussed next.

#3: Miami’s defensive issues allow Lakers to pull away.

It was expected that Miami would be ready to compete defensively in this series, throwing many different schemes out there on the floor. But that wasn’t exactly the case. For starters, Miami’s defensive movement wasn’t where they’d like it to be. And also, although the role guys were hitting threes, containing the paint was the issue. You are not going to stop LeBron James and Anthony Davis from doing what they do, but you must make it tough on them. They were pretty much doing what they wanted when attacking the rim, and obviously AD got to work on the glass against the smaller lineups. These issues were clear, and it’ll be looked to be tweaked by game two.

#4: Goran Dragic, Jimmy Butler, and Bam Adebayo injuries hold some question marks.

The Jimmy Butler injury occurred late in the second quarter, when he tweaked his left ankle. He ended up staying on the floor, but then even more news came in. Tyler Herro started in place of Goran Dragic to start the second half, and it was reported that he was doubtful to return with a left foot injury. Some fear that this is a series ending injury.

Bam Adebayo also went to the locker room in the third quarter, after getting his left arm tangled up, which appeared to re-injure his shoulder. He ended up not returning, which they listed it as a shoulder strain, but luckily the x-rays came back negative. Miami is already facing some on-court issues against this Lakers team, and these injury issues aren’t making it any easier. Miami’s depth is their advantage though, which means if anything is significant, they will be plugging in some guys down the roster including Kendrick Nunn, Kelly Olynyk, and others.

#5: Eyes are now on Erik Spoelstra.

Erik Spoelstra has had an outstanding playoff run since he’s implemented so many successful things on both sides of the ball. But now, it’s time for him to adjust once again. This doesn’t mean to flip their defensive game-plan, but they need to get back to their roots and increase intensity yet again. This could mean that we see a rotational change, maybe even seeing some Kelly Olynyk or Meyers Leonard minutes to get some bigger bodies on the floor. We will probably see Kendrick Nunn back in the rotation as well if Goran Dragic is out for the rest of the series. Either way, an adjustment will be made for game two. And there’s no better coach to do it than Erik Spoelstra.

The NBA Finals are a Bluegrass Series

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The 2020 Eastern Conference Championship belongs to the Miami Heat. Yes, the fifth seed Miami Heat are playing for an NBA championship against the Lebron-led Los Angeles Lakers. 

There are a plethora of narratives this Finals matchup holds, however, it’s hard to look past the fact that there are six former Kentucky Wildcats between both organizations: Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and Pat Riley for the Heat and Anthony Davis, Rajon Rondo, and Frank Vogel for the Lakers.

For this series, the players making the biggest impact — Davis, Adebayo and Herro — played for head coach John Calipari. Although Kentucky hasn’t won a National Championship since 2012 when they were led by Anthony Davis, its roster is continuously loaded with McDonald All-Americans and 5-star players year after year. Calipari focuses on player development and preparing his players for the league, perhaps at the expense of team success. Calipari wants his players to succeed at the next level and achieve their dreams of making it to the NBA, but most importantly making an impact in the NBA. Of course he wants his team to experience winning basketball, but it’s through sacrifice. It’s evident Calipari has done an amazing job readying his players for the NBA. 

A prime example is Tyler Herro, who has made an immediate impact as a rookie averaging 19.2 PPG, 6.3 RPG, and 4.8 RPG on 52/35/100 splits in the Eastern Conference Finals against the talented Boston Celtics. In Game 4, Herro exploded by scoring a career high 37 points on 14/21 shooting as part of a brilliant all around game. Herro was a late lottery pick, going 13th to the Miami Heat. Those who followed him since he was a junior in high school had as much belief and confidence in him as he did himself. When Herro decommitted from Wisconsin and committed to Kentucky, many thought he would never touch the court at a program so prestigious as Kentucky. But, Calipari recruits with intention and purpose. He wants players who want to be at Kentucky. He wants his players to embrace the grind and fall in love with the process.

Calipari tells every single recruit that it’s not easy at Kentucky: You’re not going to be the guy. You’re a 5 star player that will probably shoot 10 times a game rather than 18. The room for mistakes at Kentucky is small. Calipari is a true believer that practice will improve your craft but without demonstrated performance, your confidence will waver. He values players with the “dog” mentality, and, that is just what Herro had. 

It all started when Herro scored 16 points in the first game at the Big Blue Bahamas Tour. His playmaking and offensive talent was on display, and Calipari mentioned multiple times he hadn’t had a team that could shoot as well as his 2018 team. But, Calipari being the blunt and truthful coach he is, made it clear to Tyler he wouldn’t play if his defense didn’t improve. After Kentucky’s defensive meltdown to Duke, Calipari had to go back to the basics. The most basic defensive drills. They did defensive slides and an array of close out and box out drills. Calipari made it clear to his team — and to Herro — that if they cannot stay in front of the ball, they will never be a good basketball team. Fast Forward to NCAA March Madness. Herro, a former defensive liability, is guarding Wofford’s best player, Fletcher Magee, until then a big time 3-point shooter. Magee scored 8 points and shot 0-12 from the three.

Here’s the thing though: Tyler asked Calipari if he could guard Magee. He wanted the hardest defensive assignment. Tyler wanted to be in the spotlight, but on the defensive end. This speaks volumes to how Calipari’s system develops winning players. Herro learned to expand his game on both ends on the court. It’s safe to say Tyler made strides as a defensive player and earned his coach’s trust. Although Tyler didn’t put up crazy numbers in college, Calipari knew he wouldn’t meet a high level of success in the NBA like he is now without being able to defend. That is why it is not surprising seeing his playmaking and scoring ability on display here in the playoffs. It’s not that he couldn’t, it’s just that in college he was limited, due to the presence of numerous other star level players. 

Bam Adebayo has a similar story. He played a role at Kentucky. He also was a late lottery pick. And, he also has had early success in the league. At Kentucky, he was a high energy, rebounding machine with versatile defensive presence. Many were surprised to see Adebayo’s playmaking surface playing for the Heat. Again, it’s not like he couldn’t bring the ball up the court and be the center of the offense, it’s just not what was needed from him at Kentucky. 

There tends to be a common trend with Kentucky players. They are good teammates who can defend, and are coachable. Calipari builds the foundation for these players, but at the end of the day, it is the players’ drive and commitment to their craft that earns them respect around the league. There should be no surprise if these players thrive in the finals. They were built for moments like this, and they live for moments like this.

 

Jamie Levy (@JamieLevy_) attends the University of Florida. 

Heat-Lakers NBA Finals 2020: How They Match Up

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Miami has its work cut out for them in the NBA Finals as they will face LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers present unique matchup problems for Miami. L.A. has two first-team All-NBA players in James and Anthony Davis surrounded by a host of savvy veteran players with championship experience. However, styles make fights and Miami may have a puncher’s chance.

 

The Heat played Los Angeles twice during the regular season in which the Lakers came away with wins in both games. The Lakers cruised to a 95-80 in the Staples Center in the early part of the season. Jimmy Butler led Miami with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Bam Adebayo chipped in 11 points and 9 boards and Goran Dragic had 19 with 7 assists. 

 

Miami was outrebounded 48-37 in the game, with Javale McGee, Davis and James combining for 22 of those boards. Ball movement was also lacking for Miami in the game. The Heat finished with only 18 assists compared to the 30 for L.A. It was the ninth game of the season.

 

The second win came down to a Davis shot late that led to a 113-110 thriller in Miami. Again, Butler was Miami’s leading scorer with 23 and Kendrick Nunn added 16 points in 36 minutes. Even with Bam grabbing 12 boards, Miami was still outrebounded by the Lakers, 50-34. Again McGee, Davis, LeBron and Dwight Howard led in those efforts.

 

Both rosters have seen major overhauls since they last met. Both Nunn and Meyers Leonard were starters and now neither player is in the rotation. Miami had yet to trade for Andre Iguodala or Jae Crowder, both who figure to play major roles in this series. And then there is Dion Waiters, who the Heat can’t seem to get rid of no matter what they do.

 

The Lakers are without Avery Bradley, a major contributor and starter during the regular season. Rajon Rondo and Alex Caruso have seen their roles increase as a result. However, the main thing is still the main thing for the Lakers. James and Davis have lived up to their reputations as top-5 players in the league in the bubble. They will continue to be the engines for everything L.A. will try to do.

 

The Lakers will be the prohibitive favorite in this series, but that has been the case for the Heat in nearly every series. In each instance, where the opponents figured to have more talent, Miami has been able to win using a variety of methods. Head coach Erik Spoelstra has engineered strategies to neutralize league-MVP Giannis Antentokoumpto and bewilder the ultra-talented Boston Celtics. 

 

Miami has used hard-nosed defense and efficient offense to overcome what some view as a talent disparity in respect to their opponent. The key to this series will be if Miami can find a way to bother the Lakers dynamic duo. Easier said than done, right? Miami has the advantage in terms of guard play and overall depth. Outside of James and AD, the Lakers roster leaves a lot to be desired. The two average 25 and 26, respectively. Kyle Kuzma is the team’s next highest scorer at 12.

 

Miami’s balanced attack has six players averaging double figures in the postseason, led by Dragic at 21 points per game. Tyler Herro, who scored 14 points total in the two regular season meetings, will add an element that the Heat were lacking before the bubble. If he continues his current level of play, he could lead Miami’s bench against a lackluster Laker second unit. 

 

Other factors include Miami’s ability to throw multiple bodies at James, 3-point shooting, defensive matchups and smallball lineups. 

 

Butler, Crowder and Iguodala are all veteran defenders with experience covering LeBron. Bam may also spend a few possessions on him as well. Having that experience, albeit regular season except for Iguodala, should bode well in terms of making James work for his baskets. Bam seems to be the only reasonable matchup for AD. There is nobody else on the roster with the combination of length, athleticism and speed to deal with him. Having Duncan Robinson guard Danny Green keeps him out of foul trouble and on the floor. Unless……ya know…….the refs call some more of those invisible Duncan fouls they love so much.

 

If LA is going to start two bigs, that could also work in Miami’s favor depending on if Crowder finds his shot. In the past four games, Crowder has been left wide open for three. He will need to convert in this series to maximize the floor spacing. Forcing LA to play smaller is Miami’s best chance to keep this series competitive because they don’t have the bigs to deal with Davis, McGee and Howard.

 

Ultimately, this series will be the most difficult of them all, as it should be. The Lakers will be the ultimate test. If the previous series are any indication, the Heat will be prepared.

5 Takeaways from Heat’s Series Ending Win over Boston

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The Miami Heat are going to the NBA finals, after beating the Celtics, 125-113, in game six. Bam Adebayo showcases his excellence in an outstanding performance. Here are my five takeaways…

#1: Jimmy Butler comes out firing.

Jimmy Butler had a game-plan heading into game six, when he didn’t even shoot around before the game since he “had it covered.” Well, he seemed to have it covered in the first quarter, when he continued to attack the basket and control the mid-range. He seemed fairly confident taking those jumpers, which is always important with Jimmy. This ultimately leads to getting the rest of the team going, since it opens up shooting. Miami’s shooting wasn’t looking good to start the game though, which led to Jimmy trying to play-make around the rim to cutters. When Jimmy is assertive like this, he’s hard to slow down.

#2: Bam Adebayo showcases first half paint presence on offense, but so did Boston.

Bam Adebayo was controlling the paint on offense early once again, drawing fouls due to his aggressiveness. But his ability to play above the rim was on full effect tonight. Although you’d think that would give Miami an early lead, Boston was getting busy down low as well, utilizing Daniel Theis, Enes Kanter, and Robert Williams. The zone defense seemed to be a bit of an issue, most likely since Boston’s preparation for it was starting to show. But ultimately, Bam mentioned he’d need to take initiative in game six, which he did. The offense was once again running through him, but shooting ultimately helps him even more. This team runs on the production of Bam Adebayo.

#3: Jae Crowder not having his best game shooting the ball, finds other ways to be impactful.

Jae Crowder came out in game six once again cold from beyond the arc. When you’d think that would his confidence, it does the complete opposite. It then forces him to be productive in other areas. Instead of just sitting around by the three point line, he cuts to the basket back door for layups and attacks the basket. And now to the defensive end, he is truly a disruption on each and every play. Contesting shots, battling for rebounds, active hands on help defense. It was all on display tonight. Even on his toughest of shooting nights, he finds ways to help this team win.

#4: Andre Iguodala is familiar with these moments, and he shows up once again.

Andre Iguodala is the true definition of not showing up in a stat sheet. Not a natural scorer, just a natural winner. Well, that’s wasn’t the case tonight, since he was playing like a natural scorer. It was evident veterans were going to need to step up in this game, but not many would’ve thought it’d be a big time shooting performance. During Miami’s most crucial stretch, he showed up big time. And once again that’s not even discussing the other things he does every single game. Facilitating, defending, play-making. But ultimately, the scoring shined through those things, since he’s very familiar with these big moments.

#5: The Miami Heat will be facing the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA finals.

The Miami Heat have earned themselves a trip to the NBA finals. The outstanding play in the fourth quarter from Bam Adebayo is the reason they are here. He further showed that he’s a proven winner. Big time baskets, huge passes, defensive stops, needed rebounds. It was all on display tonight. Tyler Herro also scored a couple of crucial baskets in the fourth, that got the team going. Now they will face a familiar face, LeBron James, in the NBA finals, four wins away from hoisting up the Larry O’Brien trophy.

5 Post-Practice Comments from Erik Spoelstra

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Erik Spoelstra spoke with media after practice today, following the game five loss to the Boston Celtics. He talked about some of their issues in the game, and went into detail about Jimmy Butler. Bam Adebayo, and Udonis Haslem. Here’s what was said…

Post-Practice Comment #1:

Erik Spoelstra talked about Bam Adebayo after practice today, even disagreeing with him taking the blame for the loss. He said, “He is one of the best players in this league. He’s going to become one of the best winners.” This is clearly the truth, especially since Bam has been the biggest contributor to all of Miami’s postseason wins. Game five of the Eastern Conference Finals though definitely wasn’t his best, and Bam recognized that when he said “blame me” after yesterday’s game. Spoelstra, along with Jimmy Butler and the rest of the team, totally disagreed with that statement, saying that it’s on everybody. Bam definitely wasn’t happy with his performance, which is why he will be coming out with a bunch of fire power on Sunday night.

Post-Practice Comment #2:

Erik Spoelstra also touched on the team’s current three point shooting struggles. First off he recognized the fact that Boston does a very great job at defending the three, and getting them off of their normal rhythm threes. He follows that saying that “We’ve also missed some open ones.” He also said, “Our guys are extremely ignitable. It can happen just like that…They can explode at any time.” And as I’ve mentioned before, with the confidence shooting on this Heat roster, this shouldn’t be much of a worry. This also is another reason Kelly Olynyk can be a factor next game, since he’s such an ignitable shooter.

Post-Practice Comment #3:

Udonis Haslem was seen in the huddle during a timeout in the third quarter of yesterday’s game, trying to bring some energy to the team. When Coach Spo was asked about this, he said “I can’t imagine being in a locker room or a game without UD…It brings this head coach great comfort when he leads the huddle.” He mentioned that it was hard enough not to have D-Wade in the locker room anymore, but he’s just glad to have that vocal leader in Udonis Haslem. This team has a bunch of vocal leaders on the sideline though, which Spo mentioned Andre Iguodala as well. This team must listen to their knowledgeable vets in order to stay locked in on finishing this series.

Post-Practice Comment #4:

Erik Spoelstra was asked about Jimmy Butler’s personality with this team versus his past teams, which Erik said he doesn’t know since he wasn’t around him on past teams. He followed that saying that “If he screams and yells and snaps at us, we don’t take it personal. That’s our language. We kind of like it like that.” And it’s not just Jimmy who doesn’t mind yelling at teammates, Bam and Goran are always letting teammates know when they make a mistake. And that’s the beauty of this team. They truly don’t take it personal, and all take accountability for their actions, as Bam did after the game yesterday.

Post-Practice Comment #5:

Erik Spoelstra finished off the session talking about closing out the series. He says, “We never expected it to be easy.” This team isn’t used to being in this situation, since they’ve been the underdogs all season long. But after that loss, it’s time for them to show that gritty and tough mentality in game six. It definitely won’t be easy, but if they hit open shots at a consistent rate it’ll make it easier. And once again it’s now time for the veterans to show up. Tyler Herro has had his moments to get them here, but ultimately it’s on Jimmy Butler and Goran Dragic to close this thing out. Goran showed he was ready to do that in game five, and now it’s time for Jimmy to show it tomorrow night.