Pacers vs. Heat: Mario Chalmers Must Step Up If Heat Are to Take Game in Indy
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade need help scoring, and Mario Chalmers must answer the call. In Game 2, the dynamic duo combined for 52 points, no other Miami Heat player scored more than five in the 78-75 loss.
That abysmal group of Heat players includes Chalmers who had the magic five points on 2-of-10 shooting. He was 0-for-4 from three-point range, and that included a last-second attempt to tie the game.
People that don't know the game will focus on James' missed free throws and Wade's blown layup, but an NBA game is 48 minutes long. During that time, James and Wade accounted for more than half the total points, and one of them led the team in every statistical category that counts.
At some point, the blame has to fall on the supporting cast.
With Chris Bosh out, the responsibility of picking up his slack can't all fall on the two superstars. With the attention James and Wade are drawing, Chalmers is getting looks—he just isn't knocking them down.
If he makes just two more shots in Game 2, the Heat are likely headed to Indiana up 2-0. But he didn't, so now the Heat need a win in Indiana at some point to advance to the Eastern Conference finals, and to hopefully get Bosh back.
The only way that will happen is if Chalmers can find his offensive game. If he isn't making his shot, then perhaps he needs to go to the basket, but he must be aggressive.
If the Heat get the same type of play from Chalmers again, perhaps it's time to reinsert rookie Norris Cole. I thought he was playing well early in the season before he had his minutes decreased.
He was 2-of-2 from the field in 17 minutes in Game 2, and he has no fear. He's aggressive and always in attack mode. Right now, more than ever, this is what the Heat need.
Chalmers must be on a short leash, and head coach Erik Spoelstra, shouldn't hesitate to turn to the rookie if he gets nothing from his starter. This season is all or nothing, and no one is going to give them a pass because they're playing without Bosh.
They can't wait until they're down 3-1 in the series to make changes.
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