NBA Finals 2011: How Miami Heat Can Bounce Back from Game 2 Meltdown
If the Miami Heat were going to lose a game, blowing a 15-point lead with six minutes remaining is the last way they wanted to do it. From stagnant offensive sets to defensive collapses late in the game (most importantly the ease with which Dirk Nowitzki hit his final layup), the Heat have plenty to shake their heads about.
The question remains: can they dust off an embarrassing Game 2 collapse and remain in control of the series?
Here are four ways they can.
4. Offensive Sets
1 of 4
One of the disturbing things about the Miami Heat during their collapse was how they abandoned their offensive sets. LeBron James had two consecutive trips down the floor where he seemed to settle for a three-point attempt late in the game.
If the Heat are going to win close games (and the Mavs seem determined to keep it close), then they need to stick with the offensive scheme that got them there. Playing isolation or trying to be the hero won’t always work. The Heat must keep it together.
3. Transition
2 of 4
The Heat had a franchise record for fast break points. Of course, those often come on turnovers, which the Mavs stopped making in the final six minutes. Still, the Heat know that their offense is best when they are pushing the ball up the floor against the zone. It’s their best way to get into the paint, and kick it out for the three.
The Heat cannot afford to slow things down. They need to continue to be aggressive on the boards and push the ball up the floor.
2. Contain Dirk Nowitzki
3 of 4
The Heat tried two things against Dirk down the stretch. The first was to double team much the way they did Derrick Rose. The problem is that the Mavericks have a whole slew of guys who can create off the dribble making the double team a flat-out bad idea.
The other was putting Chris Bosh on him for that last play. Bosh is a pretty good defender, but down the stretch, the Heat need their best defender, LeBron James, on Dirk. James has done a good job on Dirk when he had covered him. At the very least he has forced Dirk to settle for jump shots, and he wouldn’t have let him get that easy layup.
1. Stay Positive
4 of 4
The Heat should be disappointed that they let Game 2 slip through their fingers, but this game meant more to the Mavericks than it did to the Heat.
The Heat need to focus on the fact that even though the Mavericks shot very well from the field in Game 2, Miami still had a 15-point lead late in the fourth quarter.
The Mavericks didn’t discover a secret formula to beat the Heat. They just executed better down the stretch. Miami still has two of the game’s best closers. This series is just getting started.
