NBA Playoff Schedule 2012: Miami Heat's Bench Will Be Game 5's X-Factor
The Miami Heat have earned the opportunity to take their series with the Indiana Pacers by the horns and need their bench to complete the task in Game 5 to take the commanding 3-2 lead in the series.
LeBron James was brilliant in the Heat’s 101-93 Game 4 win, scoring 40 points, grabbing 18 rebounds and dishing out nine assists. He was unbelievable, but there is no way he can keep this up. After going to the line 16 times on Sunday, he has to be incredibly sore and I believe fatigue will be an issue for him tonight.
With the inconsistencies of Dwyane Wade this series, somebody else has to step up.
Mario Chalmers can in spurts, but they need a guy to come off the bench and infuse some serious energy into a team seemingly playing 2-on-5.
There are three candidates coming off the bench who can fill this role.
Mike Miller
He’s been a huge disappointment in the series, scoring a mere 10 points in four games. What’s even worse is his lack of rebounding. With a whopping nine in the series, he isn’t hustling and scrapping out there.
His presence on the glass, while stretching the defense with his three-point shooting can be a monumental boost for the Heat in Game 5.
Joel Anthony
He needs to step up his rebounding. Anthony is averaging under five per game despite averaging 27 minutes. Without Chris Bosh, the Heat really need Anthony on the glass and on defense where he is the only player that can slow down Roy Hibbert.
So far, he has been one of the biggest disappointments of the series.
Udonis Haslem
The veteran finally got the playing time he deserved in Game 4, and scored 14 points and four rebounds in 25 minutes of action.
He needs to keep the Pacers' post defense honest and as long as he continues to drill those mid-range jumpers, he’ll be the difference-maker tonight.
The winner of Game 5 in a best-of-seven series that is tied 2-2 goes on to win the series 83 percent of the time. Miami has to win this game to ensure they don’t face elimination on the road in Game 6.
If they can get sound production from Miller, Anthony or Haslem, the Heat will be just fine. If all three of them really struggle, the Pacers are going to swipe home court once again and place all of the pressure on the shoulders of Miami in Game 6.
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