Adjustments made from Game 2 debacle pay off big in Game 3

[WD]

DALLAS -- Udonis Haslem wasn’t going to hold back on this celebration.
The final horn had sounded, so he was free to pump his fists, flail his arms and yell in the direction of the American Airlines Center crowd.

It wasn’t just the timing of the Heat celebration that separated Sunday’s Game 3 win from Thursday’s stunning Game 2 defeat.

Everything about it was different. Everything about it was better. It was proof the entire Heat team, from players to head coach, learned from that disastrous home loss. And none of them were about to experience that again.

What better place to start, of course, than at the end.

Holding a two-point lead, the Heat wasn’t about to make the same mistake it did three days earlier, when Dirk Nowitzki blew past Chris Bosh for the easiest game-winner this team has ever allowed.
This time, Erik Spoelstra summoned Haslem. The Heat captain probably spent two days wishing he had the chance to defend Dirk at the end of Game 2, so it’s only fitting that he got his chance just three days later.

With four seconds left, Haslem forced Nowitzki into a difficult 20-footer, bothering Dallas’ superstar every millisecond of the experience.


Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/06/06/2 ... z1OWRqpuqq

[HIF]

Nowitski got a clear shot though, he just missed. it's difficult to make 100% game winning/tying shots.

[indiegrind]

I agree, Haslem defended him best he could, but Dirk still got his shot. I think its a bit of a stretch to say Haslem on Dirk = Win. If that shot would have fallen, everyone in the media would be talking about the dilemma of finding an answer for Dirk in the clutch.

I think bosh or haslem should be able to do that against dirk..we are giving him way too much focus as the key to closing out games.....I think the focus needs to be more on keeping our leads so that the games dont come down to whether or not Dirk can drop his dagger.

We blew a substantial lead in game 3 just like we did in game 2. Dirk just missed. That was the difference.

[WD]

That's what puzzles me - the 3 big leads (game 2 and 2 in game 3) - if we can maintain any of those leads a little bit say by about 5-7 points - we're 3-0

[Wade2k6]

Nowitski got a clear shot though, he just missed. it's difficult to make 100% game winning/tying shots.

It may be a clear shot for Dirk, but I'd take a fade away 20 footer with a hand in his face over a running bank shot any-day of the week. Haslem moves his feet very well and does a better job turning Dirk when he penetrates.

[jayjay_]

Nowitski got a clear shot though, he just missed. it's difficult to make 100% game winning/tying shots.

He stIll did a fade away, he's not superman to hit that shot every time. If he did a straight jumpshot he would've made it or at least get a call the way the refs were last night.

[indiegrind]

we definitely should be 3-0....I dont think Dallas is good enough, only way we lose is if we keep giving games away like we did in game 2, and almost did in game 3.

One dirk shouldnt trump a lebron, a d-wade, and a bosh. they should be worried about stopping our guys.

We asserted our dominance in game 3 by getting into the paint, why do we start making extra unneccesary passes, running down the shot clock and settling for long jumpers and three's when putting your head down and going to the basket has had the Mavs on their heels all game? I just dont get what goes wrong. I really feel like our team has the lowest collective basketball IQ in the league with the highest collective talent.

In short, i think our problems are on the offensive end and not on the defensive end. We've done a great job keeping the mavs off balance, the problem is we lose our balance too. Our games shouldnt be this ugly.