Defeat-a-Bull!

Filet Mignon For Dinner

Miami enters tonight's game in Chicago on a three game playoff winning streak and looks to defeat the Bulls in the house that Jordan built. Miami' defense has been the catalyst for all three wins in this series. The story line's are plentiful in this series as they have been all season. Mike Miller showing up in game four for 12 points, 9 boards, and several key plays all while dealing with the birth of his daughter that is in an ICU unit. Miami wishes the Miller family nothing but blessings and our prayers are with your angel. Udonis Haslem's return  to the court was also key in the Miami Heat' resurgence on the boards and on defense in game two, his year was lost, until Spoelstra called his number and he performed in typical UD fashion, like he was never gone. Mario "Lucky Chalms" Chalmers also came through with key plays, both defensively and offensively. Lucky Chalms must get ready for the finals by establishing his game tonight, Miami will need him to play well and focused.


Despite Dwayne Wade' poor shooting and really non aggressive style in game four that lead me to believe that he was hurt, but his OT play eliminated that thought quickly. Wade is the key in this game five for the Heat, they need him to be more war like and getting him started is important tonight. Wade' blocks on Rose and Deng in game 4, let everyone know he has more in the tank. Getting Wade open using screens and feeding him will be Haslem and James' job, James, I expect he will be the facilitator again for this game and get the role players hot and going. James was spectacular in game four with 35 points, 6 boards, and 3 huge blocks, but his defense on Rose in the fourth will not show up in the box score. He was everywhere and on everyone all game, his one lapse cost the Heat 3 points when Deng hit a three. Other than that, James was brilliant like Guinness beer on defense.


Game five will be no easy task, but if it was easy every team would close out. Miami' experienced core players know they cannot give the Bulls any momentum at all. Miami' bench players must show and place in this horse race. The Bulls bench will be fired up and very physical, they have to be. It will be good experience for them to step up in these types of games and learn to play with pressure. Chicago will be looking to put Roe on an island versus Bibby or Chalmers and probably abandon the pick and roll that Miami defends so well. The boards tonight will be key for the Bulls, so expect a lot of banging down low and hard fouls near the rim. Miami must stretch the floor more tonight than ever, the three point shooters must hit some shots. Miami can finish this tonight, but if they do not, Miami comes home and takes care of business anyway. Nothing but Net...............

Will Rose Wilt In The Miami Heat Again?

Noah taking pictures for FACEbook!

As the sun shines down on a beautiful weekend in Miami filled with blue skies and warm temperatures. The Heatles enter Sunday' game against the Chicago Bulls with home court advantage and momentum. Miami stole a hard fought game two in Chicago and now make their way home to defend a home court that they are undefeated in the playoffs. The Heat' defensive experience and offensive poise will be critical in defending home court against a Bulls team that hasn't lost two straight games since February. Defending Rose is a priority, but I think defending Deng is just as important, James must check him and keep him out of that corner he loves so much, without a secondary scorer, Chicago will lean more on Rose. 


After defeating the Bulls on their home court in game 2, Miami looks to bury the Bulls in some South Beach sand. Miami looks to take the court at the triple A and quell any confidence the Bulls had post game 1, the Bulls three point shooting kept Chicago in game 1 and ultimately sealed the victory. The Bulls could not carry their shooting over into game 2 where they shot a dismal 34% from the field and 15% from three point land. While Miami played excellent defense and lead several time throughout the game, the Bulls kept dwindling the lead with help from their bench. Miami delivered the final blows late in the fourth quarter via James, who single handedly out score the Bulls in the final 5 minutes 9-2, the two came of a Taj Gibson dunks that Wade blocked into Joel Anthony' hand and in the hoop. James was brilliant and stepped up both defensively and offensively, he drove, shot jumpers, and made important free throws to steal a victory on Chicago's vaunted home floor. The Heat were 2nd in the league in 4th quarter opponent field goal percentage with 41.2%, the Bulls where 1st at 41.1%, but Miami turned up the defense in game 2 and held the Bulls to only 10 points total in the 4th and 29 points total in the second half to deal the Bulls their second lose at home in the playoffs.


The biggest numbers that stick out for the Heat are points in the paint, Miami scored 50 points in game 2 and 46 in game 1. Miami being the smaller team did not deter them from playing big, both Wade and James made their way to the rim regularly. Miami' cutters took advantage of the over pursuit of the great Bulls defense for easy buckets at the rim. Haslem' emotion and gritty play added a presence Miami didn't have in game one down low and on the boards. Haslem and his energy contributed to this win more than the entire Miami bench. Heading home I expect a bit more production from Miami natives, James Jones and Udonis Haslem in game 3, as well as Bibby who had yet to make his shots that would spread the floor more for Wade and James to attack.


Miami has the experience to seal this game at home, Miami has demonstrated the poise and defense to beat teams in the triple A. After handling the best offensive team in the league, the Celtics in the second round, Miami faces the best defensive team in the regular season. Miami' versatility on defense has become an advantage for them in the playoffs, shutting down good teams first and then attacking their defense has proved  to be an asset. Miami does have some issues that can become problems. The Heat blew chances at the free throw line in game two, James missed 4 big ones that could've given Miami some more cushion. Turnovers also buried the Heat' lead and gave Chicago momentum after being down by 11. Miami' three point shooting has been way below their average, Bibby, Jones, and Chalmers have failed to convert opportunities into points. Mike Miller' thumbs have really bothered his follow through when shooting, but his knack for finding boards (7) gave Miami a boost in the 4th. Miami has to continue to attack and get the boards, no rebounds, no rings! Nothing but Net....