Heat lead far from safe

There’s no cause for major celebration in Miami even as the Heat has moved ahead, 2-1, for the NBA Finals lead over Oklahoma City because every game so far could’ve gone either way.

To clinch the series at home, the Heat must win Games 4 and 5. That means not only sweeping the middle games in the 2-3-2 format but also beating the Thunder four in a row – which is extremely difficult considering the parity of both teams. But wait. In 2005-06, Miami did nearly the impossible to Dallas in the Finals – the Heat won the three middle games and beat the Mavs four straight to clinch in Game 6 on the road.

Like in 2005-06, Miami opened the Finals this season without the homecourt advantage. The Heat was No. 2 in the East with a 46-20 record while the Thunder was No. 2 in the West with a 47-19 slate. Coincidentally, Miami was also No. 2 in the East in 2005-06 with a 52-30 mark and Dallas similarly No. 2 in the West with a 60-22 card.

Miami seized the homecourt advantage by beating Oklahoma City, 100-96, in Game 2 last Thursday. But if the Thunder wins either Game 4 or 5 or both, Oklahoma City regains the homecourt edge and could clinch at the Chesapeake Energy Arena unless the Heat won’t cooperate.

Defense has brought Miami to the driver’s seat in the Finals after the Thunder won, 105-94, in the opener. In Game 1, OKC had more fastbreak points, 24-4, more points in the paint, 56-40 and more rebounds, 43-35. Kevin Durant was dominant with 36 points, eight rebounds and four assists in 45:48 minutes. The glaring stat was in field goal percentage as the Heat shot 46.2% compared to the Thunder’s 51.9%. But the positive sign for Miami was there were five Heat players in twin digit points compared to only three for OKC – Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka. Durant and Westbrook combined for 41 points in the second half to outscore the entire Heat squad – a startling eye-opener for the Heat in terms of depth.  

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So in Game 2, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra got the Heat to tighten up defensively. On offense, the Heat rediscovered its physicality and stormed the hoop with an aggression that stole the thunder from the Thunder. This time, Miami got back quickly in transition and limited OKC to only 11 fastbreak points. The Heat also attacked the interior with more conviction, scoring 48 points in the paint to OKC’s 32. Durant got into early foul trouble and his minutes dwindled to 38:37 but he still got away with 32 points, three rebounds and a single assist. Westbrook matched his Game 1 output with 27.

In Game 3 last Sunday, the Heat applied the same formula to carve out a gritty 91-85 decision. Defense was the key as the Thunder was limited to 42.9% from the field. Miami shot worse at 37.6% but knocked down 31-of-35 free throws compared to OKC’s 15-of-24. The Heat had more rebounds, 45-38, more fastbreak points, 19-12 and more points in the paint, 46-42.

Miami could’ve disintegrated down the stretch but held on despite committing nine turnovers in the fourth period.  It looked like the Thunder would break out in the third quarter as Derek Fisher completed a four-point play to give OKC a 10-point edge, 64-54, with Durant sitting on the bench with four personals. Then came a sequence where the Thunder got three straight offensive rebounds with Ibaka, Kendrik Perkins, Fisher, Thabo Sefolosha and James Harden on the floor. But slowly, the Heat got back in the groove behind three free throws apiece from Shane Battier and James Jones and two more from Dwyane Wade. LeBron James’ triple staked Miami to a 69-67 lead entering the fourth period. OKC coach Scott Brooks opted to sit Durant and Westbrook down as Miami went on a tear – he took a lot of flak for it in post-game comments.

Still, the momentum didn’t quite turn 360 degrees. Westbrook’s pull-up made it 86-85 with 1:30 left. Then, Chris Bosh – Miami’s unsung hero – canned two foul shots and bothered Durant’s shot in the next play. James and Wade combined for three free throws to settle the count, 91-85.

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Bosh grabbed five of his 11 rebounds in the fourth period and was a terror in the interior on both ends.  With the Heat up by 78-77, Durant went for the go-ahead basket but was blocked by Bosh. Then, Bosh provided the secondary pick for Wade to get free and score a three-point play. Bosh’s defense on Durant made the difference down the stretch. Durant finished with 25 points and no assist in 39:11. The three-time NBA scoring champion’s output has slid from 36 to 32 to 25 entering Game 4. Westbrook was also held to 19 in Game 3. Harden couldn’t get untracked and wound up with nine points. He flubbed two free throws late in the third and could’ve stymied Miami’s surge.

OKC lost two in a row to San Antonio before mowing down the Spurs in four straight in their playoff series. So losing two straight to Miami isn’t a huge damper for Brooks. But whether OKC’s youth will prove to be a liability is a question mark. Durant and Westbrook are 23. Harden is 22. Their inexperience showed in Game 3 as Miami’s veterans controlled the tempo down the stretch.

Game 4 could prove to be the turning point of the Finals. A Thunder win will even the series at two wins apiece while another Miami victory will open a commanding 3-1 lead for the Heat. Durant and Westbrook aren’t supermen. They’ll need support from Harden and company to defuse the ferocity of Miami’s defense.