PG Heat: statement game.

[IrishRainbow]

HAHAHAHA

That looks like my stock portfolio in 2022.

Definitely triggered some PTSD. It was precisely the first thing that came to mind as it entered my screen…

“Oh, that looks familiar”

Checks to make sure REALGM didn’t infiltrate my wallet.

[ReasonablySober]

You suckers. My baseball card collection valuation is going to explode any year now. I have THREE Danny Tartabull upper deck rookie cards.

[Jez2983]

If we really go after a bloke like Herro on D I can't see that he has the skill with the ball in hand to work his way through those sort of situations.

The Heat are pretty good at defending Giannis, but they still can't stop him on deep catches or even rolling to the basket.

I'd also suggest us shutting down Butler is a bigger issue than the Heat stopping Giannis...

[12 Point Buck]

Please wipe the Game thread. Embarrassment

[DrWood]

I don't know that it's a statement game (they dug themselves into a hole), but coming back from double digit deficit in the last several minutes is promising.

[HKPackFan]

If we really go after a bloke like Herro on D I can't see that he has the skill with the ball in hand to work his way through those sort of situations.

The Heat are pretty good at defending Giannis, but they still can't stop him on deep catches or even rolling to the basket.

I'd also suggest us shutting down Butler is a bigger issue than the Heat stopping Giannis...

They are excellent at stopping giannis from charging the hoop in half court and also at hacking giannis down low without getting fouls called. But you are right rolls and deep catches they can't do a lot.

Also they rely on randoms nights of Herro/Duncan/Lowry etc to shoot 80% from 3 and 50% overall vs non bubble Jimmy from going off.

(That being said I'd love our 3pt defense to put up a bit more of a fight).

[FrieAaron]

Not sure we deserved that one but I'll damn sure take it.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

I'll say we did. I actually think we played pretty good defense most of the game, but the Heat hit a LOT of high difficulty shots. That was a great game. The East playoffs this year are going to be stressful, but awesome.

[HKPackFan]

I just realized the Heat lost in the most OLD BUCKS fashion of all time.

#1 Holding a 4pt lead with 30 seconds left AND THE BALL, all they have to do is eat clock, yet they turn it over and the other team scores a quick 3.

#2 CANT get a ball inbouonded almost a turnover, forced to use last TO.

#3 Then ALMOST another turnover on the second time trying to inbound leads to jump ball.

#4 Lose jump ball and give the other team plenty of time to run a play.

#5 Defense gets destroyed as the other team hits a dagger for the lead.

#6 no time outs to move the ball to half court and try to one last play, instead heave an impossible almost full court shot.



That's literally the most OLD BUCKS way of losing a clutch game ever. Oh goodness how it feels to be on the other side of these.

[HKPackFan]

Giannis 28/17/5/2/1 and going 9/11 FTs with 14pts in the fourth quarter. That's some MVP stuff right there. Especially getting 14/27 of the teams points in the 4th. He made 51% of the team's 4th quarter scoring. Just wow.



Giannis is not a closer...some takes age badly...

Watch on YouTube

[RiotPunch]

Wow, holy ****, I turned the game off when we were down 14 with about 7 minutes left because I had work to do. (I was also getting tired of my ad-laden, glitchy stream)

You're welcome.

Same. Streams were cursed tonight. I could not handle ad evasion and Herro torching us, simultaneously.

Excited to go re-watch the 4th.

[old skool]

Most satisfying win since opening night.

Miami was the better team most of the night. They were unconscious from deep. Until they missed their last 5.

Giannis looks great from the FT line. What a turn around.

Budenholzer played the last 30 seconds (down 4, Heat with the ball) straight up, no fouls. I think he was encouraged to go that route because the Bucks could be extra aggressive trying to steal the ball, as they only had 2 team fouls. After the Herro turnover and Middleton 3-pointer, Connaughton runs over to Bud and yells "great call".

The Bucks were lucky that Antetokounmpo tied up Butler, and then won the jump ball. Giannis is just so-so on jump balls when going up against players his own size.

Holiday made the game winning shot look easy. I think he does a great job understanding who is defending him and recognizing if he can win a one-on-one battle or not. That play is not as easy to make if the Bucks call time out and give Miami a chance to set up a half court defense.

In game deciding situations, the Bucks don't need any scorers on the floor outside of the Big 3. The Big 3 provide plenty of clutch offensive options. The other two players can be defensive specialists like Harris or Connaughton or Bembry.

After the game, Tucker got lots of hugs and high fives from Bucks players. They were ready to celebrate the win, but their first impulse was to connect with PJ.

[RiotPunch]

Thoughts:
1) Defense in fourth quarter was aggressive and not the passive drop; who woulda thought?

2) Tyler Herro is really good offensively, but he was pathetic the last quarter. His turnovers were key. He should be pressured the entire game. This isn't rocket science.

3) Bud played it right at the end by getting Allen out of there and putting Wes in. Bucks don't win without Wes's defense. Allen should be used as a spark off the bench. We need a defensive player getting most of the minutes instead of Allen. He isn't that productive to warrant the time he's on the court. We have enough offense.

4) At some point, people need to stop saying teams happen to magically shoot well against the Bucks. It's not a coincidence.

Benching Wes down the stretch was one of Bud's biggest mistakes in the bubble. He has some rent-free real estate in Jimmy's head, great to have that card to play again if we see them in the playoffs.

Definitely need a different strategy for Herro/Robinson, though. Need to be more physical with them. Wes did a good job on Herro down the stretch. Maybe Jrue on Jimmy, Wes on Herro is the sweet spot.

[stellation]

Holy ****, I'm at the office and trying to calm the **** down....OMG what a game.


I had an employee walk into my office and I shooo'ed him the **** away...hahahahhahaaha

I have worked with a lot of folks here in Sydney that spent time in Honkers offices, I feel like there was more shouting and swearing than you've alluded to here.

Hong Kong we are quiet and polite folks. (Usually)

Lies! I'm from Sydney, baby- I've come across one or two people from Hong Kong.

[TroyD92]

no idea how they won that. crazy game

[Pachinko_]

That's why IDGAF about the strength of schedule and whatever. Because it's entirely up to us, when we play well we beat any team anywhere.

[AussieBuck]

**** that was fun.

[PG Graveyard]

Giannis 28/17/5/2/1 and going 9/11 FTs with 14pts in the fourth quarter. That's some MVP stuff right there. Especially getting 14/27 of the teams points in the 4th. He made 51% of the team's 4th quarter scoring. Just wow.



Giannis is not a closer...some takes age badly...

Watch on YouTube

Lol. I just saw there was some anonymous league vote on most clutch players in the nba and Giannis didn’t even make the top 20 or 25 players listed. Can’t recall exactly how many. Either way the dude leads the league in 4th quarter points and is coming off 50 closing down the finals. I think it merited a mention above a lot of the guys. I don’t know what he can do anymore.

[BigO]

Thoughts:
1) Defense in fourth quarter was aggressive and not the passive drop; who woulda thought?

2) Tyler Herro is really good offensively, but he was pathetic the last quarter. His turnovers were key. He should be pressured the entire game. This isn't rocket science.

3) Bud played it right at the end by getting Allen out of there and putting Wes in. Bucks don't win without Wes's defense. Allen should be used as a spark off the bench. We need a defensive player getting most of the minutes instead of Allen. He isn't that productive to warrant the time he's on the court. We have enough offense.

4) At some point, people need to stop saying teams happen to magically shoot well against the Bucks. It's not a coincidence.

Benching Wes down the stretch was one of Bud's biggest mistakes in the bubble. He has some rent-free real estate in Jimmy's head, great to have that card to play again if we see them in the playoffs.

Definitely need a different strategy for Herro/Robinson, though. Need to be more physical with them. Wes did a good job on Herro down the stretch. Maybe Jrue on Jimmy, Wes on Herro is the sweet spot.

Further thoughts:

1) I see Miami fans saying Butler is done and that's ridiculous. His play this year continues to be near the top of the league. The key to defending Butler is the same as defending Derozan. Don't go for the shot fakes and keep them off the line. That's half their game and they do it at an elite level.

2) Praising Bud for not fouling is the epitome of analysis by hindsight. Bud would have had to know that Herro would throw the ball away. Otherwise, letting the clock dwindle, even if Miami misses a shot, you're still down 4 with only a few seconds left. There's no good answer to what needed to be done, but I probably would have fouled. That's the only reason I can think of Spoelstra giving the ball to Herro, since he's a great shooter.

3) Spoelstra is an elite coach, especially in game planning, but his in-game decisions sometimes are questionable. I would have had the ball in Butler's hands, not Herro. Game over.

4) Will Bud learn anything from the last 5 minutes in terms of who to have on the court and what type of scheme to play? Not totally confident about that.

[jschligs]

Serious question: does Miami set the best picks in the ****ing world or what? It seems we can’t do anything to fight through them, resulting in wide open 3s off a screen for Miami.

[ShootingtheJ]

Serious question: does Miami set the best picks in the ****ing world or what? It seems we can’t do anything to fight through them, resulting in wide open 3s off a screen for Miami.

If we choose to hedge, then we can stop there shooters.