Miami Heat adjustment No. 3: The Heat must contain LA’s second unit
The Miami Heat realize that there is nothing they can do to prevent LeBron James and Anthony Davis from putting up big numbers, but they must prevent the Lakers bench from blowing the game wide open.
Alex Caruso has consistently made huge baskets throughout the course of the playoffs and did exactly that in Game 1 scoring 10 points and spearheaded the Lakers run going up by double-digits. Kyle Kuzma only scored three points but was a force on the boards grabbing eight rebounds and playing good defense.
Rajon Rondo has the ability to affect the game with his control and grasp of the offense while also playing lockdown defense. He can impact the game without scoring and is dangerous whenever he drives to the paint because of his unpredictability. Markieff Morris is also a player who has to be accounted for due to his ability to score inside the paint and on the perimeter as well. He is another big body for the Lakers on the defensive end who can neutralize the Heat’s top offensive threats.
Entering this series, Miami knew that if they were going to have a chance at an upset, it was going to start by winning the bench minutes. That didn’t happen in Game 1.