By Kevin Perez
The Miami Heat fell to the Los Angeles Lakers 124-114 in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Friday. The Heat had lost once again after two of their best players, Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic, had sustained a neck strain and a torn plantar fascia, prompting the duo to opt out of yesterday’s showdown. But even when the team had been down, they never stopped fighting back. The Heat now trails 0-2 in the best of seven series.
Despite all, it’s not over till one team reaches four wins. The Heat have been in the same position in the past — and that instance traces 14 years back. The team, which had initially been led by Dwyane Wade in 2006, faced off against Dirk Nowitizkis Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks took the first two games to lead 2-0, but the Heat went on to win 4 in a row. With Dwyane Wade, the Heat rallied in Game 3 trailing 89-76 with 6:36 remaining in the 4th quarter. Wade scored 12 points to lead a 22-7 run, to which Gary Payton had soon hit a game clinching layup to seal it. The Heat went on to win 3 straight and capture their first ever NBA Championship after Game 3.
So, the question comes down to how Miami’s home-team will come back and win this series. It all starts with being able to play big and put bodies against Anthony Davis, Lebron James, and the rest of their bigs. In the first two games, LeBron and Davis combined for 59 and 65 points. If the Heat wants to have any chance of coming back, it has to start by playing big and physical. Bam’s injury does not help the Heat at playing big vs the Lakers, but if he does play in Game 3, Coach Spoelstra might have to play either Kelly Olynyk, Meyers Leonard, or Chris Silva alongside Bam Adebayo.
Once sizing up to the Lakers bulk advantage, Miami needs to score on the offensive end off of good shot selections. On Friday’s game, the Heat had multiple chances to score after getting stops — but they failed to, which ultimately cost them the game. Their zone defense, which has been a huge part of their success in this year’s playoffs, has been absolutely dismantled by the Lakers. Playing man-to-man defense might be the way to go, yet it will be harder if Bam cannot play on Sunday.
Yahoo Sports reporter, Chris Haynes, revealed on twitter that Bam Adebayo plans to play in Game 3 of the Finals. If Bam does play, however, this would be a huge boost for a must-win game, and while there is no official word on Dragic’s status other than him and Bam “lobbying every second” to play during Game 2, the Heat might have to extend the series first.
As we wait for the following tomorrow night, Miami will once again undergo a beat down from the media. Many analysts claimed the series was over and that the Lakers would pull off the sweep after the Heat’s fall-off at Game 1. This might happen again as the Finals approach game 3. Still, one person who does not care what anybody else has to say is Heat head coach, Erik Spoelstra.
After the loss on Friday, he vocalized his response in a postgame presser saying, “We don’t give a s*** what anyone thinks.”
Jimmy Butler followed up with a firmness of purpose. “It’s not over. We’re just down 0-2,” he said.
One thing is for sure, the strength cannot be taken away from this team is their heart and determination that is widely called, “Heat Culture.” Regardless of what others have to say, the series is a best of seven for a reason.
Game 3 will unfold Sunday evening at 7:30PM Eastern Time.
