2011 Playoffs: Bulls Cruise to Game 1 Victory, Will Heat Recover?
Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals came and went, resulting in a humiliating loss for the Miami Heat.
While the fans and the entire world of sports were readily anticipating the matchup between the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat, it would seem LeBron James and Dwyane Wade didn't get the memo.
Maybe Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, team president Pat Riley or team owner Micky Arison could take it upon themselves to remind their two superstars of a simple fact: You have to win the Eastern Conference finals before you can win the NBA finals.
If the Miami Heat is still walking on clouds after its second-round devastation of the Boston Celtics, it’s time for it to come down to earth, and the two players who can guide the Heat to a safe landing were no shows on Sunday night.
James and Wade had a bad game, it doesn't happen often, but it could not have happened at a worse time. Game 1 was a game the Heat needed; now Game 2 becomes a must-win. Miami needs to get back to what got it here in the first place.
James and Wade attacking the basket and playing aggressive on offense creates match-up nightmares for any defense. Because they draw so much attention, it allows the rest of the team to play in their comfort zone, instead of playing outside their ability. Chicago is a superb defensive team; James and Wade will have to play at the top of their games for every minute they're on the floor.
While the score was close throughout the first half, the Bulls began to pull away in the middle of the third quarter. Chicago used its size advantage and its energy to control the boards for the entire game, outworking Miami and finishing the game with 19 offensive rebounds to Miami’s 6. The Bulls also doubled Miami’s assist total, 23 to 11.
The Heat played like it was glued to the floor, stagnant on offense, little ball movement and allowing itself to get manhandled in the paint.
The one bright spot for Miami was the play of Chris Bosh. If coach Spoelstra’s game plan was to get Bosh started, he succeeded. However, I am not an NBA coach, but I would be inclined to think this is not the time to mess with a winning formula.
Run the offense through James and Wade. Run the defense through James and Wade. After all, that’s what got the Heat to the conference finals, and that’s what will get it a championship.
