After seeing Dwayne Wade's performance in the last two games, one thing is certain for the Mavericks: Keep him out of the paint. Mavericks will certainly defend Wade tightly to make sure he does not score as well as he has been.
But this raises the question, what about Lebron James? Sure he has not contributed as much as he usually does during the last two games but if he steps up it will become a problem. Doubling up on Wade will only mean more openings for Lebron. If the Heat decide to take advantage of the tighter defence on Wade, they should do so by making Lebron penetrate the paint instead.
The Heat on the other hand have to make sure they do not foul. They especially have to make sure Dirk Nowitzki does not get to the free throw line. Nowitzki is very troublesome with his great shooting skills, already making over thirty consecutive free throw shots. If Heat can pressure the Maverick offensive without fouling and keeping Nowitzki tightly defended they will win Game 4.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
NBA Finals Game 3 Analysis and Game 4 Preview
The Miami Heat's win over the Dallas Mavericks has shifted all eyes towards the Mav's players other than their stars. Players like Dirk Nowitzki, Tyson Chandler and Shawn Marion have been in the spotlight for the most part in the three games played so far against the heat. The Mavericks will have to make good use of their bench players and other talents in order to supplement the efforts of players like Nowitzski. Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion and Tyson Chandler are seen as the players who must score those crucial 15 to 20 points that could easily decide the game. However, they have been coming up short with Jason Kidd not yet reaching the 10 point mark each game so far. Other players like Peja Stojakovic desperately need to start pulling their load in these final games. His presense in Game 1 and 2 went almost unnoticed as he didnt make a single point. Stojakovic made his first and only two pointer in Game 3 which hurts his dependability behind the three-point line. If the Mavs dont start pushing their unseen players, they will have too much liability resting on their star power and jeapardize the championship.
Game 3 reaction and what should happen Game 4
The lost Game 3 by two points but had many more mistakes than the scoreboard could tell
The Dallas Mavericks had runs but where behind for a large part of the game. The main problem for the Mavs is that inablity to score without Dirk . Dirk made the last 12 points for the Mavs but you can see a lack of trust Dirk has in his teammates. Miami on the other hand trusted Chris Bosh even though he shot terribly for three quarters. But i dont blame Dirk for his lack of trust. He scored nearly 40% of his teams points and 26% of their rebounds. Miami worked on getting Dwanye Wade into the post and it paid off.
Dallas must work on some one else other than Dirk , to get al least 20 points. Two players come to my mind but both Shawn Marion and Jason Terry are heavily guarded by Lebron James. Miami should continue to score in the paint which has been working for them . Dallas needs to put a body in front of James and Wade. They are allowed to much space and no one helps on defense.
The Dallas Mavericks had runs but where behind for a large part of the game. The main problem for the Mavs is that inablity to score without Dirk . Dirk made the last 12 points for the Mavs but you can see a lack of trust Dirk has in his teammates. Miami on the other hand trusted Chris Bosh even though he shot terribly for three quarters. But i dont blame Dirk for his lack of trust. He scored nearly 40% of his teams points and 26% of their rebounds. Miami worked on getting Dwanye Wade into the post and it paid off.
Dallas must work on some one else other than Dirk , to get al least 20 points. Two players come to my mind but both Shawn Marion and Jason Terry are heavily guarded by Lebron James. Miami should continue to score in the paint which has been working for them . Dallas needs to put a body in front of James and Wade. They are allowed to much space and no one helps on defense.
Game 4 expectations
The Dallas Mavericks lost a tough home game to the Miami Heat giving the Heat a 2-1 advantage in the series. The Heat's defense has been suffocating forcing the Mavs to turn the ball over numerous times throughout the games. The players in the Heat are athletic and big making it difficult to pass the ball around and once the ball is stolen, it leads to fast break points. The Mavs must focus on how they are passing the ball around to decrease the turnovers.
Besides the turnovers, the Mavs are not shooting as well as they were in the past series. Besides Dirk Nowitzki, the other players do not have nearly the confidence as him to hit open threes. There are plays where they gave up the open three to pass to the guys in the paint. They have to trust that Tyson Chandler can get the offensive rebound even if they miss. Once the Three pointers start to go in, then the paint will open up leading to scoring inside the paint.
As usual, the Heat are playing tough defense and making it hard for the opposing team to score. They are doing their best to guard Nowitzki while not fouling him. The Heat is relentless with making the Mavs turn the ball over and making fast break points. Even though they are making stops, not all three of the “big three” are making their shots. In game three both Chris Bosh and Lebron James did not play at their standard level. They need to drive to the paint more and force the Mavs into foul troubles.
Besides the turnovers, the Mavs are not shooting as well as they were in the past series. Besides Dirk Nowitzki, the other players do not have nearly the confidence as him to hit open threes. There are plays where they gave up the open three to pass to the guys in the paint. They have to trust that Tyson Chandler can get the offensive rebound even if they miss. Once the Three pointers start to go in, then the paint will open up leading to scoring inside the paint.
As usual, the Heat are playing tough defense and making it hard for the opposing team to score. They are doing their best to guard Nowitzki while not fouling him. The Heat is relentless with making the Mavs turn the ball over and making fast break points. Even though they are making stops, not all three of the “big three” are making their shots. In game three both Chris Bosh and Lebron James did not play at their standard level. They need to drive to the paint more and force the Mavs into foul troubles.
NBA Finals 2011: mid-series review
Game 3 was a nailbiter the whole way through, with Miami securing the win with an 18 foot jumper by Chris Bosh under one minute left. The final score was 88-86, although Dirk Nowitzki barely missed a good look that would have been a buzzer beater tie. It is evident that Miami reviewed the game tape, and stepped up defensively, especially on the last play where Nowitzki caught the ball 28 feet from the basket with four seconds left. The Heat also kept their three point shooting up in this game, coming out with 42% from behind the arc. The much younger Miami team did a nice job of stealing the ball and running the court, with ten steals and many fast break points. Lebron James realized very quickly that he was not performing well, and gave up the ball to Dwayne Wade more, allowing Wade to make 29 points on 12-21 shooting. The Dallas Mavericks did a nice job of rebounding in game three, which was a major issue for them in their game one loss. As always, Nowitzki was a crutch for his team, scoring 34 of the teams 86 points. He was also nine for nine from the line.
In order to win Game 4, the Mavericks need to continue grabbing rebounds, both offensive and defensive. They are the bigger team, and they need to get second chance points and defensive rebounds, which will prevent Miami from beating them on the fast break. They also need to continue getting to the line, as 22 of their points came from there. Jason Terry needs to continue providing key points and big shots. Lastly, Dirk Nowitzki needs to stay hot and produce for his team.
In order for Miami to win Game 4, they need to continue to play aggressive defense, which will give Nowitzki and the Mavericks a harder time when trying to score. Tighter defense will also give Miami easy baskets, because when Miami runs the fastbreak, they are normally much faster than any Mavs player on the court. These fastbreaks end in flashy dunks or alley-oops, which can swing the momentum in their favor, or bury the Mavs even further. This will also silence the crowd, which helps the away team in many ways. If Miami is able to foul less, they will give the Mavs less easy points, so they should have an easier time scoring. As long as Dwayne Wade, Lebron James and Chris Bosh are on the same page, scoring should not be a problem.
In order to win Game 4, the Mavericks need to continue grabbing rebounds, both offensive and defensive. They are the bigger team, and they need to get second chance points and defensive rebounds, which will prevent Miami from beating them on the fast break. They also need to continue getting to the line, as 22 of their points came from there. Jason Terry needs to continue providing key points and big shots. Lastly, Dirk Nowitzki needs to stay hot and produce for his team.
In order for Miami to win Game 4, they need to continue to play aggressive defense, which will give Nowitzki and the Mavericks a harder time when trying to score. Tighter defense will also give Miami easy baskets, because when Miami runs the fastbreak, they are normally much faster than any Mavs player on the court. These fastbreaks end in flashy dunks or alley-oops, which can swing the momentum in their favor, or bury the Mavs even further. This will also silence the crowd, which helps the away team in many ways. If Miami is able to foul less, they will give the Mavs less easy points, so they should have an easier time scoring. As long as Dwayne Wade, Lebron James and Chris Bosh are on the same page, scoring should not be a problem.
Game 4 preview
The reason for the Miami Heat win in Game 3 was because of their tight defense. Udonis Haslem did everything he could to stop Dirk Nowitzki and it all paid off as Nowitzki missed the shot that could have tied the game. Dwyane Wade stepped up to the plate and scored 29 points with 11 rebounds. Another reason for the Mavericks' loss was their silly turnovers which led to fast break points for the Miami Heat.
If the Mavericks want to win Game 4 then other players besides Nowitzki would have to step up. DeShawn Stevenson who is the starting shooting guard took only one shot. And Tyson Chandler scored only five points which is very upsetting because the Heat lack in size. Also backup point guard Jose Juan Barea missed some crucial open three pointers. If you compare the amount of playing time for the Heat starters and the Mavericks starters, you will notice that the Mavericks starters play a significant amount longer. This could lead to exhaustion for the Mavericks in which the bench should play their role and help. All of this would have to be improved for the Mavericks to win tonight in Game 4.
If the Mavericks want to win Game 4 then other players besides Nowitzki would have to step up. DeShawn Stevenson who is the starting shooting guard took only one shot. And Tyson Chandler scored only five points which is very upsetting because the Heat lack in size. Also backup point guard Jose Juan Barea missed some crucial open three pointers. If you compare the amount of playing time for the Heat starters and the Mavericks starters, you will notice that the Mavericks starters play a significant amount longer. This could lead to exhaustion for the Mavericks in which the bench should play their role and help. All of this would have to be improved for the Mavericks to win tonight in Game 4.
Game 4 preview
After the disappointing Game 3 loss the Mavericks will have to secure a win in Game 4 to give them any reasonable shot at winning the series. After the Maverick's stuning Game 2comeback to take home court advantage in the series they gave it right back after coming up short in Game 3.
Dallas has had a couple issues through the series to this point. The largest issue seems to be keeping Dwayne Wade out of the paint. Jason Kidd has taken on the responsibility of guarding Wade but the Mavericks will have to do a better job with help defense on Wade to discourage him from using his size and speed advantage to dominate Kidd.
Dirk Nowitzki also will need more help clsoing games in the fourth quarter specifically from Jason Terry who has struggled down the stretch in this series. A significant reason for this has been the Heat's decision to have Lebron James guard Jason Terry which has made Jason Terry a non factor in crunch time. As seen at the end of game three despite Nowitzki's greatness he can not hit the game winner every game.
For the Heat the one aspect of their game they must improve on to finish off the Mavericks is keeping their energy level up for the entire 48 minutes. Games 2 and 3 both featured big Mavericks comebacks after the Heat appeared to have the game in their hands. In order to prevent this from happening in game four the Heat need to keep the ball moving on offense and fight through the Mavericks screens to prevent the open three pointers.
With the series hanging in the balance Game 4 is a make or break game for the Mavericks and it could pave the way to a championship for the Heat.
Dallas has had a couple issues through the series to this point. The largest issue seems to be keeping Dwayne Wade out of the paint. Jason Kidd has taken on the responsibility of guarding Wade but the Mavericks will have to do a better job with help defense on Wade to discourage him from using his size and speed advantage to dominate Kidd.
Dirk Nowitzki also will need more help clsoing games in the fourth quarter specifically from Jason Terry who has struggled down the stretch in this series. A significant reason for this has been the Heat's decision to have Lebron James guard Jason Terry which has made Jason Terry a non factor in crunch time. As seen at the end of game three despite Nowitzki's greatness he can not hit the game winner every game.
For the Heat the one aspect of their game they must improve on to finish off the Mavericks is keeping their energy level up for the entire 48 minutes. Games 2 and 3 both featured big Mavericks comebacks after the Heat appeared to have the game in their hands. In order to prevent this from happening in game four the Heat need to keep the ball moving on offense and fight through the Mavericks screens to prevent the open three pointers.
With the series hanging in the balance Game 4 is a make or break game for the Mavericks and it could pave the way to a championship for the Heat.
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