The Chicago Bulls were a basket away last night from tying their series against the Miami Heat at 2 apiece and reclaiming home court advantage. Instead, Miami pulled the game out in overtime and is now in command with a 3-1 lead. Some thoughts:
- Watching LeBron James and Derrick Rose play against each over a span of four times has illustrated the still wide chasm that exists between the two. LeBron is a more efficient scorer, an exponentially better defender, and at least Rose's equal as a passer. And for all the talk about Derrick Rose taking over in the fourth quarter, he has shot under 25% in the final period in this series. LeBron, meanwhile, has taken over late in games. After Game 1, there was a knee-jerk reaction from a bunch of columnists proclaiming that Rose was the best player in the NBA. I don't hear anyone saying that now.
- Interesting switch by Erik Spoelstra to put LeBron on Rose in the 4th quarter. LeBron's defense was impressive, staying in front of the MVP while also getting a hand in Rose's face if he attempted a step back jumper. After the switch, Tom Thibodeau decided to go away from the pick-and-roll and had Rose isolate and go one-on-one. It didn't pay off. What I don't get is why, when Mike Bibby is covering Rose, Thibs continues to force the pick-and-roll? By sending over Boozer or Noah, the Bulls continually invite a double-team. If you're going to go away from that strategy with LeBron covering Rose, why not do the same thing when the slower-footed Bibby is the one playing defense? Or, conversely, if you don't think isolation is a good tactic against Bibby, what would make you think that it would work against LeBron?
- Omer Asik was missed. Joakim Noah looked great to start the third quarter, but with his non-stop energy he quickly became tired, but couldn't get his normal rest.
- Good to see Mike Miller finally getting some rhythm. Pretty crazy he can even shoot this well with his fingers all taped up.
- How many travels are going to be allowed during this post-season? LeBron had more than one clear violation, and Rose was a culprit as well. On the other hand, the late fourth quarter charge on LeBron was also a poor call; the refs appeared to believe he used his arm to clear Brewer out, but he did not.
- Rose continues to struggle to hit shots, but wow, those two dunks he had in succession in the second quarter were something to behold. Do you realize the guy is only 6'3? He's barely taller than Jason Terry.
- On a related note, the Bulls need to find a way to get out in transition more, especially in the fourth quarter. It's easier said than done, as the Heat have been very good at getting back on defense. But Rose has so far only been able to get to the rim when he catches the ball on the move and attacks the Heat defense before it is set.
- During the 4th quarter and overtime, the Heat finally went to the lineup that was supposed to be their crunchtime quintet all year: LeBron, Wade, Miller, Bosh, Haslem. Even while Miller and Haslem have been working themselves back into the rotation, Spoelstra had been slow to throw this unit onto the floor. We'll see if he keeps going to it as we go forward.
- Is Dwayne Wade hurt? He hasn't looked good at all the last two games. When Deng was on him for a short stretch, he was able to use his quickness to get to the hole with ease, but Bogans and Brewer kept him bottled up. Wade repeatedly tried to draw fouls with pump fakes and, when that didn't work, threw up off-balance mid-range jumpers.
- Mike Miller: +36 in 26 minutes. Sheesh.
- With Miller and Haslem getting increased minutes, the Bulls rebounding advantage has shrunk. The Heat basically played the Bulls even on the glass (42 for the Bulls, 41 for the Heat; 10 offensive boards for the Bulls, 8 for the Heat).
- Is Noah the best 7'0 passer in the league2? 6 assists for the second game in a row. And he has successfully run more than one fast break.
- The Heat are LeBron James' team. Sorry Dwayne Wade, but the transformation appears to be complete. Spoelstra has made a clear decision that he wants the ball in the hands of James, not Wade, late in the game.
- The Heat cannot let their guard down. With two games left in Chicago, the series could still quickly become a slugfest should Chicago hold serve at home and then come out fighting in Game 6.
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