Playoffs Game 3: Pacers vs Heat, 7:00 EST Thursday
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 3:09 am
P L A Y O F F S
THE SKINNY
This series is already carrying some similarities to the Orlando series, with a dropped Game 1 and strong Game 2 second half to bring it to the Heat and even up the series. The Pacers are riding high, but thanks to the veteran voice, they kept their celebration under control and are looking to take care of business on their home floor. Meanwhile, the still-potent Heat are looking to take back homecourt advantage in a pivotal Game 3.
THE LINEUPS
Point Guard
Mario Chalmers has not been a big factor in this series, and has hit the deck a lot with no call (deservedly). Hill hasn't quite found the range but has had some good defensive sequences. He's also turned it over more often against the Heat than in the month of April. He has to be crisper with his passes and trust that his teammates will be in the right place, because Lebron and Wade are always lurking.
Shooting Guard
Dwyane Wade will be extra-dangerous coming off of a poor performance in Game 2. His missed bunny near the end of regulation all but sealed it for the Pacers. Paul George, meanwhile, is going through some intense growing pains in this series, being taught the hard way the importance of staying down and finishing fastbreaks. He could take a page out of Barbosa's book, slowing to get the body into the trailing defender and laying it high off the glass. Still, his rebounding was huge and ended the game +20 while on the floor.
Small Forward
Granger showed some fire in Game 2, but still ended with only 11 points and fouled out. However, his presence was felt in the pivotal third quarter in which the Pacers took back control of the game. Lebron was getting it done everywhere, although he missed all 4 of his deep bombs.
Power Forward
David West was the levelheaded veteran the Pacers needed in the 4th, and after the game when he calmed everybody down. Udonis Haslem was limited as the Heat went small and gave Lebron James more burn, and his jumper is not enough to fill Chris Bosh's void. The Heat bigs are fronting the Pacers bigs right now, so the perimeter players need to penetrate to get things going for the bigs, as lobbing is difficult against Lebron and Co.
Center
Hibbert is getting fronted, and his inexperience with the strategy left him the only starter under double-figures. He defended without fouling and turned away shots, and his rebounding was clutch again. Getting Ronny Turiaf in foul trouble was great.
THE BENCH
Barbosa got some offense going, but was -18 while on the floor, partially due to his lack of defensive effect on Wade. The bench was really bad at the end of the first, and are almost exclusively responsible for the Pacers being down at halftime, so they have to continue to find their rhythm. Tyler was committing fouls, and Barbosa was letting guys blow past him. Dahntay Jones showed his rust, and his effectiveness is questionable.
THE COACHES
There seems to be a key difference between these coaches. Vogel appears positive at all times while Spoelstra gets visibly bothered by what transpires on the floor. The odds are still not with Vogel, even though the Pacers took homecourt advantage, so will be stressing the importance of taking care of homecourt.
THE INJURY REPORT
Pacers
None.
Heat
Chris Bosh: Abdominal - No.
THE HEAVY MATTERS
-Get low on the perimeter. A lot of the dribble-penetration is happening when players aren't getting into a basic, fundamental defensive stance. Looking at Hill, Collison, and George as examples of good form.
-Protect homecourt by playing Pacers basketball. Rebound and own the paint.
-The Heat can play better than they did tonight. But so can the Pacers. How? Turnovers and ball movement. Passing well will be the key against the Heat.
THE TRADITION: Best of 7
THE SKINNY
This series is already carrying some similarities to the Orlando series, with a dropped Game 1 and strong Game 2 second half to bring it to the Heat and even up the series. The Pacers are riding high, but thanks to the veteran voice, they kept their celebration under control and are looking to take care of business on their home floor. Meanwhile, the still-potent Heat are looking to take back homecourt advantage in a pivotal Game 3.
THE LINEUPS
Point Guard
Mario Chalmers has not been a big factor in this series, and has hit the deck a lot with no call (deservedly). Hill hasn't quite found the range but has had some good defensive sequences. He's also turned it over more often against the Heat than in the month of April. He has to be crisper with his passes and trust that his teammates will be in the right place, because Lebron and Wade are always lurking.
Shooting Guard
Dwyane Wade will be extra-dangerous coming off of a poor performance in Game 2. His missed bunny near the end of regulation all but sealed it for the Pacers. Paul George, meanwhile, is going through some intense growing pains in this series, being taught the hard way the importance of staying down and finishing fastbreaks. He could take a page out of Barbosa's book, slowing to get the body into the trailing defender and laying it high off the glass. Still, his rebounding was huge and ended the game +20 while on the floor.
Small Forward
Granger showed some fire in Game 2, but still ended with only 11 points and fouled out. However, his presence was felt in the pivotal third quarter in which the Pacers took back control of the game. Lebron was getting it done everywhere, although he missed all 4 of his deep bombs.
Power Forward
David West was the levelheaded veteran the Pacers needed in the 4th, and after the game when he calmed everybody down. Udonis Haslem was limited as the Heat went small and gave Lebron James more burn, and his jumper is not enough to fill Chris Bosh's void. The Heat bigs are fronting the Pacers bigs right now, so the perimeter players need to penetrate to get things going for the bigs, as lobbing is difficult against Lebron and Co.
Center
Hibbert is getting fronted, and his inexperience with the strategy left him the only starter under double-figures. He defended without fouling and turned away shots, and his rebounding was clutch again. Getting Ronny Turiaf in foul trouble was great.
THE BENCH
Barbosa got some offense going, but was -18 while on the floor, partially due to his lack of defensive effect on Wade. The bench was really bad at the end of the first, and are almost exclusively responsible for the Pacers being down at halftime, so they have to continue to find their rhythm. Tyler was committing fouls, and Barbosa was letting guys blow past him. Dahntay Jones showed his rust, and his effectiveness is questionable.
THE COACHES
There seems to be a key difference between these coaches. Vogel appears positive at all times while Spoelstra gets visibly bothered by what transpires on the floor. The odds are still not with Vogel, even though the Pacers took homecourt advantage, so will be stressing the importance of taking care of homecourt.
THE INJURY REPORT
Pacers
None.
Heat
Chris Bosh: Abdominal - No.
THE HEAVY MATTERS
-Get low on the perimeter. A lot of the dribble-penetration is happening when players aren't getting into a basic, fundamental defensive stance. Looking at Hill, Collison, and George as examples of good form.
-Protect homecourt by playing Pacers basketball. Rebound and own the paint.
-The Heat can play better than they did tonight. But so can the Pacers. How? Turnovers and ball movement. Passing well will be the key against the Heat.
THE TRADITION: Best of 7
HI MATEY!
I just thought that I would try and fit in to the out of towner category. For me, it is financial issues keeping me away. Not to say the tickets are outrageous or anything, I am just too broke for It. If only Sallie would entertain that 