Lets begin with a quick over view of tonight’s Game 3 between the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder. Let me get this out first and explain to everyone how this 2-3-2 format does not favor the higher seed. The Heat now have three home games and high possibility of winning the final game 5 at home. The Thunder however need to steal one game in Miami in order to have a chance. What I do not like about this compared to the 2-2-1-1-1 is the opportunity for the lower seed to win at home and not on the road. I had this series in 6 but looking at the play of the Heat they can end it in 5. The format shall be changed due to the simple fact that it favors the lower seeded team and not the higher seeded team. I’m sure this will be switched next year according to numerous sources.
This game comes down to who is more aggressive. The Heat have came out the opening tip and were on fire both times continually winning the half by 7+ points a game. Sunday I see no difference. Let’s hope there is a little bit better officiating but something I can not stress enough to everyone is that the ref’s are not the reason this game went in the Heats favor. It was a great game and the ref’s did play a minor part, however there were other factors; the 16 point lead in the beginning of the game, the missed free throws, the horrid point guard play from Westbrook in the first half and the jump shots from the Heat, they are not a jump shot team they need to drive. Lets look for this game to be a high scoring game and in the end we should have a 6-8 pt victory for the Miami Heat.
Another sport I’d like to go into detail is the MLB, last night we saw again the surging offense of the Oakland A’s and San Francisco Giants. I would look to maybe go with both teams again tomorrow. Look for the Giants to back up Lincecum with many runs facing a Kevin Millwood who is 1-3 in his last 3 games pitched and his win was a 1-0 victory with only 6 innings pitched. The A’s have been rolling through this interleague contest and I suggest you continue to ride this hot streat until it ends.
Big AFL day and EuroCup day tomorrow but those picks have yet to be decided if you would like to stay up to date with my picks please follow me @TheNickJohnson3
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Game 2 a game where Miami had to steal, even though there
odds are against them they needed this one. Kevin Durant made
a big play
hitting a clutch shot in the late parts of the game but Lebron had some big
free throws and a big off glass shot with 1:26 left. Lebron and Dwayne Wade
needed to show case there talents tonight and that is exactly what they did.
This is the first game that they have started since the Knicks series and it
was a big reunion for them. I noticed Durant came to play tonight he had all
the points he normally gets and even a solid 4th. Like I said before
the OKC Thunder needed a big day from Harden and that is what he gave them. He
kept them in the game in 1st half and that is something OKC should
be thankful for. Ibaka also came to play blocking shots on the defense side and
making a few buckets on the offensive side. He really made it difficult for
Lebron to drive to the whole. Westbrook had a solid second half but his first
half was disturbing. Long story short both teams played a hell of a game but
lets move on to tonights Player Breakdown
Tonights Player Breakdown
Heat Players:
Lebron James: 30 Pts 8 Reb 5 Assists another solid performance from LBJ. Tonight he decided to play with the same type of mindset that he did in Game 1. He had two big shots in tonights game. A jumper and two free throws in the last two minutes witch isn't the Lebron we are used to. He did guard Durant but i think he stopped guarding him once we got three fouls and i think that was a turning point in the game. Durant was able to succeed without worring about Lebron. Lebron needs to continue attacking the basket as he did tonight but one negative side as well is he isn't moving without the ball. That is something that needs to improve.Dwayne Wade:24 Pts 6 Reb 5 Assists HE FINALLY SHOWED UP for a FULL GAME! Lets give credit where its due and tonight Wade was the reason this Heat team came out on top. He was sharp and with some turnovers he still played like a superstar. I saw him being more of a leader on this team but still giving it to lebron in the closing seconds he did have a key play when splitting the defense in the final minute of the game and passing it to bosh for the dunk. If he plays like this continue for the Heat to win.Other Heat Players: Shane Battier hit 5 threes leading the team and did what most heat players other than lebron and wade were doing in game 1 and that was missing wide open shots(other than his fifth three) Chris Bosh played a great game as well who had a double double by half and continued to make his presence known in the 2nd half. Norris Cole guarded Westbrook which i thought was smart seeing how Cole isn't a offensive threat and should play more of defensive role during this game. Loved the minutes that he put out in this game and hope the heat coaching staff encourages him to play this way throughout the finals. Thunder Players:
Russell Westbrook: 27 Pts 8 Reb 7 Assists.He played very well in the second half. But im not going to over look the first half which was awful. He was a terrible PG wasn't a floor general and taking bad shots. However he did get robbed with a few lay ups. I think he played a much better 2nd half getting to the bucket and making a few key shots. He played mediocre defense but i think he held his own against wade. Expect him to be more aggressive and drive to the bucket and use that first step of hisKevin Durant: 32 Pts 3 Reb 1 Assists. A semi good game but i believe foul trouble was the big point in his shaky start and finish. He is a good player and made a very clutch three. His jump shot is something he relise on his jump shot alot and i think he needs to work on his pump fake so he can get some defenders up in the air. He was shaky at the free throw line and that was un like him. I expect him to continue to play how he is minus the foul trouble and free throw missesOther Thunder Players: James Harden and Serge Ibaka were the two players that stepped up tonight. Harden played a hell of a game and made some key shots in the 1st half to keep this thunder team in the game. Ibaka was great on defense. He made a huge block on Lebron and made LBJ second guess himself when driving to the bucket. Don't see Harden having an off game like he did Game 1. Ibaka may be a presence in game 3 but he may get in foul trouble like he tends to do and with LBJ driving and a game in Miami i expect the calls to go the heats way.
Conclusion:
The heat need to win atleast the next 2 out of 3. If they can pull 3 in a row that would surprise me. This young thunder team is hungry and will not back down from a fight. The Heat need to play just like they did tonight but minus the mistakes and make sure to not help off Durant like they stupidly did tonight.
For more updates follow me @TheNickJohnson3
Game 2 MIA @ OKC
Now everyone I have been talking to and most people in the NBA forums have been putting a lot of pressure on Lebron in this game. As it should be but we also need to understand that Dwayne Wade is someone we need to give some pressure to in this situation. I have a view on this Miami Heat team as something similar to Cleveland Cavilers of old when Lebron first came into the league. There is no help on this team for Lebron in these playoffs so far. Dwayne did play good in the indian series for 2 games but other than that he is absent in the 1st half and basically is no threat to OKC. I will get into more detail of these players when i do my Player Breakdown. OKC is a great team who didn't even expose there biggest x-factor James Harden. He is going to play a big part tonight. As well as Durant and Westbrook.
Key Player Breakdown:
Lebron James is the best athlete on the floor tonight he is arguably the best player on the floor as well. What we saw alot from him last game was jump shots. Not a strength in Lebron's game. What he needs to do more in this game is be more aggressive with the ball. Drive to the hoop and finish at the rim. Off the ball he needs to move, slash and dice to the open areas of the floor. Guarding Durant also is another key thing for Lebron this game he needs to be forcing Durant to take bad shots. Last game while he was Guarding him off of switches he made KD uncomfortable and made him miss. When the 4th quarter comes he needs to be on himDwayne Wade needs to show up for ALL 4 quarters. He needs to be on his A game. Looking at the star comparison he was outmatched against Westbrook. Now i know he didn't guard him a whole lot but comparing those two, Wade got ate up by Westbrook. Reported by many sources Wades knee has been bothering him and that may play a part in why he has been not playing so well. All in all he needs to show up tonight play defense and knock of this attitude of passing Lebron the torch, its your team just as much as his. SHOW UPKevin Durant not much else can be said about this guy. A great talent and these best player for the Thunder. He had an outstanding game 1 and i do not see him losing a step. He continues to show up in the fourth quarter and supply double digits and closes. He has one down fall that i see and that is if Lebron is guarding him through out the game. I think Lebron will be physical with him which may cause some struggle. However that seems possible but Kevin Durant is so long and so tall that maybe even a LBJ defense won't faze him. Russel Westbrook: Great game 1. Very little turnovers and a whole lot of scoring in the second half. Something i expect to continue with RW is his ability to get to the rim and finish. He is quick and has great court vision. One thing that I believe may get to his head is when he decides to take big shots when he isn't suppose to. Westbrook will need to win the match up with Dwayne Wade tonight or he will need a whole lot of help from Harden to contribute with the scoring.
All in all the bench of both teams will play a key role in this game as well. The heat need big minutes and big threes from off the bench. I believe they need to put Cole in to guard Westbrook. He is shifty and he is a good defender. He doesn't have to worry about playing defense, just guarding one person. Threes will be a big key for the heat Battier Chalmers Miller Jones all need to contribute. OKC needs Collison to continue to play big minutes and Harden will need to play better. D-Fish will bring that experience and that big shot gene that he has. Thanks for reading
Updates during the game follow on twitter @TheNickJohnson3
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were completely outmatched tonight against the duo of Westbrook and Durant.
I continue to not be surprised that the Thunder won although being down by double digits in the first half. The Thunder came out in the 2nd half like a new team sparked by Sefolosha in the first few minutes of the 3rd quarter with an and one to bring the thunder within a basket from tying the game. From than on it looked like the thunder continued to put there foot on the pedal and not stop.
I was surprised to see Durant take the opportunity to guard Lebron James while Lebron during the 2nd half wasn't up for it. I think Lebron was focused on the offense side of things and not taking Durant seriously, thinking he would be tired of guarding him and how that would effect his offensive game. All in all to wrap things up Durant and Westbrook took over the fourth quarter and really showed Lebron and Wade how to close out a home playoff game.
Durant was a monster on the offensive side in the 4th quarter. This was the game that the Heat could have stolen but now it looks like they will go down 2-0 come Thursday.
Lebron James 30 Pts 9 Reb 4 Assist 4 Steals, however i think his lack of defense on Durant really was the main focus of this game. We all knew he would get his own on the offensive side but defense is something that wins championships. Dwayne Wade 19 Pts 4 Reb 8 Assits, I think Wade was the one who just didn't show up, he clearly had an off night shooting 7-19 and was a non factor in the 4th quarter. Looked like his knee was bothering him but im sure the reports of that will come out tomorrow. Chris Bosh was a non factor on the glass and the points as well. Really did not become the X-Factor like i thought he would be in tonights gameAs for the rest of the players in the first half Chalmers and Battier were amazing along with Haslem in the paint getting boards. Battier and Chalmers were just outrageous from the 3pt line in the first half than at the end of the game there 3 point shooting was not there. And mike miller was on a different planet only taking 1 three point shot. Kevin Durant 36 Pts 8 Reb 4 Assists, he was outstanding on both ends of the floor, played like a superstar and an MVP. There isn't much else i can say about his performance but his clutch in the 4th quarter is incredible and the way he shoots the ball in crunch time is almost something he was just made to do.Russell Westbrook 27 Pts 8 Reb 11 Assists, Durants tag team partner in this 4th quarter. He made big shot after big shot and also got to the whole whenever he wanted. Splitting defenders and his quick first step made him such a key roll in the thunders success tonight.Harden was a non factor tonight which surprised me. He did not play much but i think he was just having an off night. Sefolosha had it going tonight and Harden will have it going maybe in game 2 and thats what i expect from him is a bounce back game.Well that is my wrap up from game 1 of the NBA finals if you want to keep up to date on some of my blogs follow me on twitter @TheNickJohnson3.