NBA Finals: 5 Things the Dallas Mavericks Must Do to Win Game 4
Through the first three games of the 2011 NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks have quite simply been playing catch-up almost the whole time.
If the Mavericks want to have a realistic shot at winning Game 4 and the rest of the series, they need to make some adjustments to what they've been doing against the Heat to this point.
Here are my five suggestions to help stop the Mavs from falling into a 3-1 hole tonight.
Move Dirk Nowitzki's Rest Breaks
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Dallas coach Rick Carlisle needs to make adjustments to his substitution rotation. If Carlisle continues to sub out Dirk Nowitzki toward the end of the first and third quarters, the Miami Heat will maintain control of the driver seat.
When Nowitzki is subbed out in the first and third quarters, Carlisle is putting Peja Stojakovic in against the likes of Chris Bosh and LeBron James.
Through three games, Stojakovic is shooting one-for-five, has two turnovers and is minus-21 in just 26 minutes of play.
In other words, when Peja is on the floor, the Heat are on a scoring run.
If Carlisle were to just shift Nowitzki's normal resting periods to when either Bosh or James are subbed out, Stojakovic may not be quite the turnstile that he has been on the defensive end.
Stop Wade from Getting to the Basket
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Although the Mavericks have played defense effectively in this series, Dwyane Wade is reeking havoc by taking over games with his ability to aggressively drive to the basket.
Wade is making a habit of putting up double-doubles, and when he's not doing that he just posts 36 points on the board.
The Mavericks need to start throwing in some zone defense into their play calling, and when they're not in zone they can put a defensive stalwart on the floor.
Remember Corey Brewer, who everyone made a big deal about picking up during the regular season? Well, for whatever reason he's yet to see any action in these NBA Finals, and now is as good a time as any to see if he was worth all the commotion.
Get Better Shooting from Supporting Cast
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In Dallas' series against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Mavericks' supporting cast of Jason Kidd, Jason Terry and J.J. Barea shot 60 percent and have been integral to their success throughout the playoffs.
In this series against the vaunted Heat defense they are shooting a dismal 33 percent.
Jason Kidd is 8-for-23, Jason Terry is 13-for-34 and J.J. Barea has only managed to go 5-23.
Barea's inability to produce points has more to do with the Heat stifling any attempts by him to drive to the hoop the way we he did, so easily, against the Lakers.
Kidd and especially Terry, on the other hand, absolutely must find their range again or this series will be over.
Establish an Inside Scoring Presence
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The Mavericks are making it too easy on the Heat to contest every shot put up on the perimeter.
Finding a way to establish a scoring threat in the painted area would force the Miami defense to sag off a bit from players on the outside.
For all the size and talent the he possesses, Tyson Chandler lacks any semblance of an offensive repertoire other than the occasional emphatic slam dunk.
Dirk is a big, but he is every bit the perimeter player that his supporting cast is.
Leaving Shawn Marion.
If Dallas makes an effort to get Marion going on the offensive not only will it open up the possibility for the Mavs to run their offense inside-out, but Heat coach Erik Spoelstra will have to decide who to stick shutdown defender LeBron James on in the fourth quarter: Marion or Jason Terry.
More Creativity When Playing Through Dirk
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Miami has caught on the Dallas' cycling pick-and-roll offense to get the ball in Dirk Nowitzki's hands.
In Game 3 there was an assortment of turnovers due to poor passes while running this play.
The Heat thrive on turnovers and fast-break points, as demonstrated by the early 14-point lead they levied against Dallas in the first half and the 8-0 scoring run they went on at the beginning of the second half.
If the Mavericks can limit some of these turnovers by avoiding the cycle so much—it has simply brought more bodies into the intended passing lanes—they may be able to play with the lead every once in a while.
