2011 NBA Playoffs: Putting the Miami Heat Game 2 Victory in Perspective

Funny how quickly things can change in the NBA playoffs. Just a mere two days ago, following the Chicago Bulls emphatic 21-point victory in Game 1, sportswriters, fans and analysts alike chose to write off the Miami Heat.

The Heat may have come back with the best counter the Bulls have seen all season, methodically putting together a brilliant game in a must-win situation Wednesday night.

The story of the game may have been Udonis Haslem, who erupted for 13 points and five rebounds in a gutty effort coming off foot surgery.

But, while Haslem provided the spark the Heat needed, the game was won on the defensive end where they allowed the NBA's MVP, Derrick Rose, to shoot just 7-of-23 from the field for 21 points. Much as I said in my last article, the Heat continued to allow Rose outside shots and it paid big dividends in this win.

This, paired with the Heat's thoroughly improved effort on the boards, paved the way to a defining victory that could help propel them throughout the series.

Now to put this win in perspective. As big as it was, it means nothing if the Heat squander a game at home in the coming days. Championship teams win games like this. But, championship teams are also relatively unbeatable at home in the playoffs, something the Heat continue to boast.

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade prevailed once again on the big stage following a difficult loss, much like their Game 4 performances in the Celtics series. James poured in 29 points, grabbing eight rebounds while Wade added 24 of his own.

You can't help but notice some of those late game blunders beginning to dissipate, as the Heat stars have silenced many with valiant efforts down the stretch of multiple postseason games.

Another underlying factor in this game was the performance of Mike Miller off the bench, rallying seven difficult rebounds that proved to be vital in the second half.

Expect the Bulls to bounce back with vengeance on their mind in Game 3 on South Beach, but don't expect the aberration we witnessed in Game 1.

Many still say that the Heat can't win a title with two-and-a-half stars and no bench, but as Haslem and Miller showed tonight, maybe there's a lot more hiding in those chairs along the sideline.