Friday, June 14, 2013

Heat-Spurs, Game 4: And Back and Forth We Go

Do I need an introductory paragraph at this point? No, I didn't think so.

1. Before I get into anything about this game specifically, I'm tired of everyone's overreactions from game to game. After Game 1, everyone was on the Spurs' d***. After Game 2, people pronounced San Antonio dead even though the series was only tied at 1-1. After the Game 3 beatdown, the media was quick to throw dirt on Miami's grave. Now, after the Heat evened the series at 2-2, the talking heads are picking the Heat in 6. Really? It's embarrassing how quickly everyone flip-flops back and forth. I'm putting Sportscenter on mute whenever anything about this series comes up from now on.

2. If Miami's Big 3 plays like that, they are going to be almost impossible to beat. I don't need to go through all the stats, do I? They all individually had their best games of the series at the same time. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade got to the basket and got their midrange game going as well. Chris Bosh actually did some decent work in the paint. 85 combined points and swarming defense will do the trick.

3. Aside from that, turnovers killed the Spurs. They doubled up the Heat's number of cough-ups, 18-9. That's not going to get it done.

4. Miami's decision to go small in their starting lineup with Mike Miller forced San Antonio's hand. Not only that, Shane Battjer saw more time. Udonis Haslem's minutes were reduced. Chris Anderson didn't even enter the game. This forced the Spurs to matchup, and their complimentary bigs (Tiago Splitter, Boris Diaw, and Matt Bonner) were rendered irrelevant.

5. Don't expect more from Many Ginobili. Many people are wondering what has happened to the Spurs' Big 3, but nothing's happened to it. There is no Big 3 there anymore. Anyone who has watched them play this year knows this. That doesn't mean he's still not a good player. It doesn't mean that he can't put a 20 point game together. But it's stupid to wait around for it. San Antonio's most likely going to have to get contributions from other people (such as the Game 3 heroes) to have a chance to win the series.

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