Jun 6, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili (20) drives to the basket against Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) during game one of the 2013 NBA Finals at the American Airlines Arena. San Antonio Spurs won 92-88. Mandatory Credit: Mike Segar/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
Now that the glorious sports high from the San Antonio Spurs beating the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals has worn off, it’s time to look ahead to Game 2.
If there’s one thing we can be sure about, it’s that this game will certainly not be anything like Thursday’s game. Neither team will shoot less than 44 percent from the floor. The Heat will not score less than 90 points again, and perhaps most importantly, LeBron James won’t shoot as poorly as he did in Game 1 (for him, 7-16 is sub par; we have come to expect much more from him this season).
The loss of the game isn’t on James’ shoulders. Rather, the win was on Tony Parker’s. When you hit a bank shot like that with that little time remaining on the shot clock, it’s not bad defense, it’s extraordinary individual skill. And basketball is the only sport where individual skill will trump great defenses (unless you’re Lionel Messi, of course). Parker’s shot was brilliant. He and the rest of San Antonio snatched Game 1 in Miami.
For Miami to win Game 2, Chris Bosh needs to be much more useful. This season he has turned into an overrated, soft, jump shooting center and that has become even more obvious in the playoffs. Sure, he has a bum ankle, but he’s a big man. Go down low and bang, man! And yes, just because these words urge him to change his style of play doesn’t mean he actually will. He’s probably not going to change after playing in the NBA since 2003. What Bosh needs to do is be efficient on the offensive end. Shooting the three is not the strongest part of his game. Where he’s most effective at this point is 15-17 feet away from the basket. He needs to camp out there and wait for James to get him the ball; the jumper will follow. He should look to get more rebounds as well.
Expect Tim Duncan to be his usual consistent, Big Fundamental self. Expect Kawhi Leonard to play more great one-on-one defense and most of all, expect San Antonio to play deliberate and exact offense. They won because they took care of the ball in Game 1. Turning it over just four times was amazing, but it probably won’t happen again, considering the speed of the Miami defense. There should be more turnovers next game, that’s where Miami gets its points.
I’d be willing to bet a large portion of my yacht and shares in Arsenal Football Club on James coming out with a vengeance in Game 2. He had a fat triple double in Game 1 with 18 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists, but he’ll have closer to his average in points Sunday.
James is the unquestioned leader on the Heat and he’ll set the example by taking over early. Will his teammates deliver the goods, or will it be like James’ days on the 2007 Cleveland Cavaliers? Also, how will Dwyane Wade’s knee hold up? Hobbled like against the Indiana Pacers, or energized in the Finals?
I have the Heat winning Game 2 98-93. What do you think?