GT:Playoffs Round 1 Game 1: Bobcats @ HEAT 4/20 3:30PM - ABC

[WD]

Hyde5: Why did LeBron praise Spo on sideline?

Five quotes from Sunday's NBA playoffs:

1. “I love it. You didn’t wait too long – bam! You hit a spark. That’s big-time coaching, Spo.” –LeBron James on the sideline to Erik Spoelstra
ABC’s Jeff Van Gundy loved this sound byte from LeBron being mic’d up during the game. LeBron seems to be reacting to the somewhat surprising insertion of James Jones’ shooting into Sunday’s game. Seeing the Heat needed another shooter to spread out the Charlotte offense, Spoelstra put the little-used Jones into the game. He'd played just 20 games this year. But so much of this post-season will be finding match-ups that work for the older, thinner Heat. Jones shot four-of-six for 12 points and indeed sparked the Heat’s change of the game.

3. “If we got a shot, we’ve got to go. We can’t keep playing half-court offense verse them.” – LeBron to teammates during a time-out.
No team can turn from defense to offense like the Heat when Dwyane Wade is healthy and part of the game. That was evident in the second quarter when Wade released, LeBron throw a down-the-court pass and the result was a Wade lay-up while getting fouled. That’s the Heat teams have trouble containing. It’s also one you didn’t see much this year – and, even Sunday, didn’t see much. The Heat only had six fast-break points. As LeBron said, they need to get out more and run the court. We’ll see if this how this changes with Wade in every game now.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miam ... 8766.story

[WD]

ASK IRA: Is small ball back for Heat?

Q: This season it seems a good part of the season was focused on going bigger. Maybe going small is the road to another championship. -- Joel.
A: Exactly. Look even at the Atlanta Hawks and how going small helped them against Indiana, when Roy Hibbert couldn't find anyone to cover. I think small ball is back, especially if Al Jefferson continues to deal with a lack of mobility due to his foot injury. By playing Chris Bosh at center, or even LeBron James there, it means the Bobcats either have to accept Jefferson's lack of defensive mobility, or remove him. It practically becomes win-win for the Heat. Then, when Jefferson is out, the Heat can utilize Chris Andersen or Udonis Haslem or their other bigs. This ultimately could be a series when Greg Oden either is a spectator or inactive.

Q: Did you know James Jones is actually capable of dribbling the ball and making layups? Seriously though, I've been wondering why they don't play him more. Isn't he the best current fit for the Mike Miller role, especially if the opponents play a wing who isn't a threatening scorer? -- Adrian.

A: He certainly could be, but Mike was a superior defender, and the Bobcats clearly were trying to get a scorer matched up against Jones, or at least involve him with pick-and-rolls that also involved Kemba Walker. You can bet the Bobcats will go to school on ways to take advantage of Jones' defensive limitations, having likely previously dismissed him as a series factor.

Q: I don't think Erik Spoelstra gets the credit that he deserves. He had to go the entire season managing minutes and having different lineups throughout. And in managing Dwayne Wade, it appears, based on Sunday's performance, that he did a really fine job. -- Martin.

A: Sure, because they won. But the challenges will continue. The playoffs are about adjusting until one team runs out of time for adjustments. Of course, in the early rounds it's easier to look like the smartest coach when you have the best players. Erik certainly pushed a lot of the right buttons Sunday.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miam ... 2750.story