Written by: Jay-Diff
The Miami Heat did what a lot of people said they wouldn’t…beat Chicago and advance to the NBA Finals. For some reason 5 seems to be the Heat’s lucky number because they went through the entire Eastern Conference and won all three series match ups in 5 games. The Heat are on a roll right now and they are playing like people expected them to from October. We are at the end of May going into June for the NBA Finals which should be a good one considering who they are going against. The Dallas Mavericks fought their way through the Western Conference, dethroned the 2010 NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers and got beat up for it. Both the Mavs and the Heat have been to the Finals once before — against each other — and the Heat won back in 2006. This is 2011 and the Mavericks are not in a playing mood. With Miami having home court advantage they would have to win games on the road and with Dallas being the best road team and Miami being 2nd, this series will NOT be an easy one. Let’s recap Miami’s come from behind victory over the Chicago Bulls.
This game saw the Heat just trying to stay afloat. They were down then they fought and cut the lead down, then they went back down by 10 or 11 then fought once again to cut the lead back down. With the Heat down 12, they turned to the guys that they put together to help them win — and that’s what they did. Wade finished the game with 21 points and 6 rebounds, Lebron James had another near triple double with 28 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists and Chris Bosh had 20 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks. The final minutes of the game saw Dwyane Wade and Lebron James taking turns scoring key baskets during an 18-3 scoring run to end the game and win 83-80 eliminating the Chicago Bulls in 5 games. For the Bulls, Derrick Rose scored 28 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and dished out 5 assists. Loul Deng ended up with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists and Ronnie Brewer, who was absent most of the series, scored 10 points.
The Bulls looked like they were in going to take Game 5 when they were up 77-65 with about three minutes left in the 4th but Wade said “NOPE, NOT GON HAPPEN” and the game shifted Miami’s way when Wade started the 18-3 run with a runner and layup. A three pointer by Lebron James shortened Miami deficit a little and the score was 77-72 with 2:07 left. Then Derrick Rose scored on a spin move but fouled Wade as he drained a three pointer, resulting in a four-point play for Wade. With missed free throws, excellent defense and double teams on Rose, the Heat came back and closed out the series becoming the Eastern Conference Champions for the 2nd time.
Notes for the Chicago Bulls
1. Get Derrick Rose some help. He can’t do it by himself. He can’t take on the scoring load all by himself. The Bulls need to give Rose another pair of hands who can score the ball at will.
2. Either get rid of Boozer or add a real big man to the line up where you don’t have to depend on just Boozer and Noah. Don’t get me wrong, they both are good players but if the Bulls want to be one of the elite teams in the East, they need a big man.
3. Surround Derrick Rose with some shooters. You know Derrick can get in the lane at any given time but you also know he likes to pass. Don’t turn them into Orlando, who lives and dies by the 3 pointer, but bring in some knock down shooters so you can give Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer more space to attack the rim
See I want the Bulls to succeed, that’s why I gave these three points.
2011 NBA Finals: Dallas Mavericks vs. Miami Heat (Rematch of 2006 Finals)
This is what the team was put together for. For this moment right here. For the NBA Finals and now that they are knocking on the door, can they do what they set out to do from training camp? Actually from the moment Lebron said he’ll be taking his talents to south beach? I think they can. Right now they are playing like champions but they have 4 more games to go in order to be called — Champions. They have to go through a very tough and very talented Dallas Mavericks team but I believe that The Heat didn’t come all this way just to lose. Neither did the Mavericks. Game 1 of the NBA Finals will be Tuesday 9PM EST. on ABC “The Home of the NBA Finals”
Photos by: Associated Press
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