NBA Playoffs 2012: Game 3 Flops Who Will Bounce Back in Game 4
As the saying goes, "It's not how many times you get knocked down; it's how many times you get back up."
Dwyane Wade has made a living out of falling down after a drive to the basket and getting back up. He's one of three players who will bounce back in Game 4 on Tuesday as the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder clash.
3. James Harden, G/F, Oklahoma City Thunder
James Harden was having a spectacular season headed into the NBA Finals. Then, all of a sudden, the Sixth Man of the Year started playing horribly against the Heat.
But the Beard will be feared in Game 4. Harden is simply too good to keep this up for much longer. He averaged 16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists in the regular season and he averaged 18.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists against the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference finals. Plus, he has had a good game in this series, scoring 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting in Game 2.
Harden will rebound in Game 4 in Miami.
2. Chris Bosh, PF/C, Miami Heat
Chris Bosh's impact for the Heat wasn't truly understood by the masses until he went down with an injury in Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, missing nine playoff games.
But Bosh has shown how valuable he can be since then, with his rebounding and ability to knock down mid-range jump shots.
Bosh is coming off a 10-point performance in which he shot 3-for-12 from the field. But Bosh shot 4-for-11 in Game 1 against the Thunder, only to bounce back with a 16-point, 15-rebound, two-block performance in Game 2.
With Bosh matched up against bulky center Kendrick Perkins, he will once again get plenty of wide-open jump shots.
1. Dwyane Wade, G, Miami Heat
It seems that every time Dwyane Wade plays poorly in the postseason, there are a million articles about why he must step up, or why LeBron James must ask more of him.
But then he steps up and nobody says anything.
Dating all the way back to Game 3 against the Pacers, Wade has followed a poor performance with a solid game every time. He followed up Game 3 with a 30-point, nine-rebound, six-assist performance in Game 4. He followed up Game 4's flop against the Boston Celtics with a 27-point performance. He followed up Game 6's struggles with a 23-point, six-rebound, six-assist display in Game 7.
And, guess what? Wade racked up 24 points, six rebounds and five assists against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 after shooting 7-for-19 in Game 1.
I'm sensing a pattern...
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